Two new rapid coronavirus tests will be rolled out across NHS hospitals, care homes and labs from next week ahead of winter.
Both of these new tests are able to detect Covid-19 as well as other viruses in just 90 minutes. They will massively increase testing capacity in advance of winter, delivering fast results that will help to break chains of transmission quickly.
Millions of the ground-breaking rapid coronavirus tests will be rolled out to hospitals, care homes and labs across the UK to increase testing capacity from next week. The tests will enable clinicians and NHS Test and Trace to quickly advise on the best course of action to stop the spread of the virus.
The two tests will be able to detect both COVID-19 and other winter viruses such as flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In addition, the tests do not require a trained health professional to operate them, meaning they can be rolled out in more non-clinical settings. It will also enable both clinicians and NHS Test and Trace with an improved ability to distinguish between Covid-19 cases, which have specific self-isolation requirements, and other winter viruses.
James Wild welcomed the development, saying -
These two new rapid tests will strengthen the NHS coronavirus response this winter.
The fact these tests can detect flu as well as COVID-19 will be hugely beneficial as we head into winter, so patients can follow the right advice to protect themselves and others.
