Testing chaos as backlog builds in UK labs

THE Government will prioritise coronavirus tests for care homes in at-risk areas, The Telegraph understands.

It comes as the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) admitted that swabs were being sent to Germany and Italy for testing, as UK laboratories had become overwhelmed as a result of “significant demand”.

Last week, the director of testing at NHS test and trace said laboratories were at a “critical pinch-point”.

But the chaos shows no sign of abating, as the public continue to report being unable to secure tests, and swabs are sent abroad for processing in an attempt to clear the backlog.

Eurofins, which has labs in Germany, and Immensa, based in Italy, are reportedly processing the British tests, according to The Sunday Times. But allegedly thousands of swabs sent to Germany may have to be “voided” after they were shipped at the wrong temperature, a source told the newspaper.

Tim Nicholls, from London, has been trying to book a test for his fiveyear-old daughter after she developed a high temperature. “We finally got through only to be told that there are no tests available anywhere in the country,” he said.

“No home tests, no walk-in tests, no drive-through tests, nothing. What an utter shambles!”

NHS Test and Trace is reportedly now dealing with a backlog of 185,000 swabs, according to leaked documents seen by The Times, and most British labs are completing fewer tests than their stated capacity.

Last night, the DHSC said new booking slots and home-test kits will be made available daily and “at-risk groups” would have priority.