Johnson and Hancock face questions over queue jump

BORIS JOHNSON was facing questions last night as to how he and Matt Hancock received tests for coronavirus, despite only suffering mild symptoms.

Although testing for the virus is being limited primarily to patients admitted to hospital, both the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary were able to receive a test and a diagnosis within hours of feeling unwell.

The Prince of Wales was recently embroiled in a row over the lack of mass testing when he too was found to have been tested and diagnosed with Covid-19. While Clarence House confirmed he had met the criteria for the NHS, critics claimed the decision highlighted an unfairness in the system.

The Government says it is rapidly increasing the UK’S testing and is aiming to hit 25,000 per day by mid-april.

Within the past 24 hours health services conducted just under 9,000 tests, taking the total number to 113,777.

However, there is widespread anger that doctors and nurses on the frontline are still awaiting routine testing, with NHS leaders expressing concern that many are being forced to remain at home unnecessarily or worse, they

‘We need governments to present a clear [test] strategy, with deadlines attached, for the next few weeks’

are unknowingly carrying the virus. Speaking to reporters yesterday, Devi Sridhar, professor of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, said the news of the Prime Minister’s illness should not distract from the need for more testing.

“We need governments to present a clear strategy, with deadlines attached, for the next few weeks,” she warned. “What is the concrete plan for testing? What is the plan for personal protective equipment for health workers?”

Addressing the backlash at the daily Downing Street press conference, Sir Simon Stevens, the NHS chief executive, said staff would start being tested for coronavirus from next week, including critical care nurses, intensive care staff, ambulance workers and GPS.

Meanwhile, Dr Jenny Harries, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said that one of the criteria for testing was the “centrality of your role to the Covid response”. “I’m sure viewers will understand that the Prime Minister plays a very critical role in that,” she added.

A Government source added both Mr Hancock and Mr Johnson were following clinical guidance and had been advised to take the test by Prof Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer.

However, it was later pointed out that Prof Whitty had not received a test, despite also going into self-isolation after developing symptoms.