Covid-19 rapid antigen test
(Picture: PA Wire)A World Health Organisation (WHO) Foundation chief has said the UK’s decision to stop its Covid testing programme is “very worrying”.
Anil Soni, head of the WHO Foundation, also stressed it was important to monitoring infection levels and that the pandemic is not over yet.
He told the Independent that he was concerned about the government’s decision to dismantle mass free coronavirus testing.
Mr Soni said: “I’m very concerned about it.
“What we’ve seen is, it’s incredibly important to maintain surveillance, and countries in southern Africa should be applauded for detecting Omicron as quickly as they did. Those surveillance systems need to be in place around the world.
“We also want to make sure that testing is widely available so that people when they become infectious, can be aware of their status and keep others safe, for testing not to be available and for us to be moving too quickly to normalcy creates risk.”
Free universal symptomatic and asymptomatic testing will end for the general public in England from April 1, as part of the government’s ‘living with Covid’ strategy.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government was “working with retailers to ensure everyone who wants to can buy a test” after the free provision ends.
He also stressed that it was down to individual “personal responsibility” to get a test if someone developed Covid symptoms.
Remaining symptomatic testing will be focused on the most vulnerable, with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) set to determine the details.
This is expected to include people over the age of 80 and the immunosuppressed.
A degree of asymptomatic testing will also be maintained in the most risky settings, such as in hospitals and care homes.
The full details of “who will continue to be entitled to free tests” is due to be published this month.
The Prime Minister has been warned by critics that the public could be left “flying blind” on Covid if left without free testing provision.
The UKHSA will maintain an appropriate level of lab infrastructure to be able to dial back up PCR testing, should this be needed.
It will also maintain a stockpile of lateral flow tests for a surge in usage if required.
