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Coronavirus: Test website closes after 'significant demand' Coronavirus: Test website closes after 'significant demand'
(about 1 hour later)
The new website for key workers to book coronavirus tests has temporarily closed - hours after being opened by the government.The new website for key workers to book coronavirus tests has temporarily closed - hours after being opened by the government.
The Department of Health said it was working to "rapidly increase" availability, with more due to become available on Saturday. The Department of Health said it was working to "rapidly increase" availability, with more tests due to become available on Saturday.
Downing Street said 5,000 home testing kits were ordered in the first two minutes of the website going live.Downing Street said 5,000 home testing kits were ordered in the first two minutes of the website going live.
About 15,000 tests were booked to take place on Friday at drive-through sites.About 15,000 tests were booked to take place on Friday at drive-through sites.
No 10 said the total amount of home testing kits available on Friday were ordered, adding it hoped to have 18,000 kits available each day for key workers by the "end of next week".
The website would be back up and running when the next batch of slots become available, the spokesman added.
The expanded testing scheme announced by Health Secretary Matt Hancock allows all essential workers in England to register for tests on the government's website, if they or a family member have virus symptoms.The expanded testing scheme announced by Health Secretary Matt Hancock allows all essential workers in England to register for tests on the government's website, if they or a family member have virus symptoms.
Up to 10 million key workers and their households are eligible for testing. Up to 10 million key workers and their households are now eligible for testing, with the aim of allowing essential staff to safely return to work.
Previously, a smaller group of key workers - those whose work is deemed critical to the Covid-19 response - were eligible for testing.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the new system would also apply there "very soon".Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the new system would also apply there "very soon".
Mr Hancock said the expanded testing programme was "part of getting Britain back on her feet". The Welsh government has previously outlined plans to expand testing to key workers and Northern Ireland's health minister has announced the nation's testing programme is being expanded to include front-line workers in the private sector.
The government is trusting that those applying for testing are key workers, with no eligibility checks in place for online bookings, No 10 confirmed.
The health secretary announced the new testing arrangements at Thursday's Downing Street coronavirus briefing, along with a commitment to recruit 18,000 people to trace those who had been in contact with those infected.
The website opened on Friday but appeared to close by mid-morning with some users met by an "applications closed" message.The website opened on Friday but appeared to close by mid-morning with some users met by an "applications closed" message.
The Department of Health apologised for "any inconvenience" caused by the temporary closure of applications.The Department of Health apologised for "any inconvenience" caused by the temporary closure of applications.
The government remains some way short of its target of carrying out 100,000 tests a day in the UK by the end of this month.The government remains some way short of its target of carrying out 100,000 tests a day in the UK by the end of this month.
Thursday's figures showed 23,560 tests were carried out, though Mr Hancock said capacity had now increased to 51,000 per day. Thursday's figures showed 23,560 tests were carried out, though Mr Hancock said capacity had now increased to 51,121 per day.
The data also showed a further 616 people died with the virus in UK hospitals, bringing the total number of deaths to 18,738.The data also showed a further 616 people died with the virus in UK hospitals, bringing the total number of deaths to 18,738.
In Scotland, Ms Sturgeon said on Friday the number of people who had died with Covid-19 there now stood at 1,184, an increase of 64 since Thursday.In Scotland, Ms Sturgeon said on Friday the number of people who had died with Covid-19 there now stood at 1,184, an increase of 64 since Thursday.
Mobile testing units Another 110 people in Wales are confirmed as having died with coronavirus - taking the total number to 751, Public Health Wales (PHW) has said.
The health secretary announced the new testing arrangements at Thursday's Downing Street coronavirus briefing, along with a commitment to recruit 18,000 people to trace those who had been in contact with those infected. In England, another 587 patients died with Covid-19 in hospital, taking total deaths to 17,373, NHS England said.
Those who can now register for a test include NHS and social care workers, police officers, teachers, those in the justice system, supermarket and food production workers, journalists and transport workers. A mixed picture
Previously, a smaller group of key workers - those whose work is deemed critical to the Covid-19 response - were eligible for testing. Secondary school teacher Mike Eyre, from Boston in Lincolnshire, was one of the first people to apply for a test but told the BBC he was still waiting for confirmation about where to go 11 hours later.
The aim is to allow essential staff to safely return to work. "It was very easy to log on and register," he said. "It just said that you would then receive a text, which would take a few minutes but it might take a little bit longer if it's busy.
"I've still not had a text yet, so I'm assuming they're very busy."
Liz Connerty, an education adviser from Slough in Berkshire, applied at about 06:45 BST and heard back at about midday on Friday.
She will make the 30-mile round-trip to a drive-in centre in Wembley, north London, later.
She told BBC News that she "didn't expect it to be completely smooth" on the first day, but that "it does seem to be getting resolved".
"I'm really pleased that in less than 48 hours I'll have been tested and know if I'm positive or not," she said.
"We've been able to work from home but they've asked if I can go in next week, so it would be useful to know.
"My children are both asthmatic - and getting a test would also mean I could then go and help my mum, who has almost no immune system and is getting no help in the house."
John Apter, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, described the announcement as "long overdue and very welcome".John Apter, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, described the announcement as "long overdue and very welcome".
He added that testing would enable self-isolating officers "to get back onto the front line to assist their colleagues if the test comes back as negative".He added that testing would enable self-isolating officers "to get back onto the front line to assist their colleagues if the test comes back as negative".
Also among those to qualify for tests are staff at supermarkets, where absences due to coronavirus have been a big issue. Tesco, for example, currently has more than 41,000 staff members off work.Also among those to qualify for tests are staff at supermarkets, where absences due to coronavirus have been a big issue. Tesco, for example, currently has more than 41,000 staff members off work.
The British Retail Consortium said the testing of such workers was "crucial" to "maintain good supplies to stores".The British Retail Consortium said the testing of such workers was "crucial" to "maintain good supplies to stores".
Transport for London (TfL) - where a third of employees have been ill or have had to self-isolate since the start of the pandemic - said that while testing would not be mandatory, it was "encouraging the take-up of testing by all eligible members of staff".Transport for London (TfL) - where a third of employees have been ill or have had to self-isolate since the start of the pandemic - said that while testing would not be mandatory, it was "encouraging the take-up of testing by all eligible members of staff".
Paddy Lillis, general secretary of the union Usdaw, said it welcomed the news that its members - most of whom work in the food and pharmaceutical supply chains - were recognised as key workers and eligible for the expanding testing scheme.
Employers should ensure the testing and results process is "fair and transparent" for workers, and support those who are ill, self-isolating or shielding on full pay, he added.
Mr Hancock said once people entered their details online they would be sent a text or email inviting them to either book an appointment at a drive-through centre or to request a home test kit, though the latter are currently in limited supply.Mr Hancock said once people entered their details online they would be sent a text or email inviting them to either book an appointment at a drive-through centre or to request a home test kit, though the latter are currently in limited supply.
He told BBC Breakfast the home kits would be collected by courier and would initially start in "small numbers" before the service grows.He told BBC Breakfast the home kits would be collected by courier and would initially start in "small numbers" before the service grows.
A help desk has been established to aid the process, while mobile units run by the Army are travelling around the country to where they are needed, such as care homes.A help desk has been established to aid the process, while mobile units run by the Army are travelling around the country to where they are needed, such as care homes.
The test involves taking a swab of the nose and the back of the throat.
Can I get a test?Can I get a test?
Anyone classified as an "essential worker" who is showing symptoms can request a test in England and Scotland.Anyone classified as an "essential worker" who is showing symptoms can request a test in England and Scotland.
The list includes NHS and social care staff, teachers, police officers and transport workers.The list includes NHS and social care staff, teachers, police officers and transport workers.
They and their family can also request a test if someone in their household shows symptoms.They and their family can also request a test if someone in their household shows symptoms.
How will I be tested?How will I be tested?
The test involves taking a swab of the nose and the back of the throat.The test involves taking a swab of the nose and the back of the throat.
There are two ways to get a test: at a testing site, or with a home testing kit.There are two ways to get a test: at a testing site, or with a home testing kit.
Home kits will initially be limited but are being sent to NHS staff.Home kits will initially be limited but are being sent to NHS staff.
Most people will get their test results by text within two days.Most people will get their test results by text within two days.
When can I go back to work?When can I go back to work?
Provided you and/or those in your household have not tested positive, you can go back to work.Provided you and/or those in your household have not tested positive, you can go back to work.
That is so long as you are well enough and have not had a high temperature for 48 hours.That is so long as you are well enough and have not had a high temperature for 48 hours.
Mr Hancock has said the "majority" of people will get their result in 24 hours, but for some it might take a bit longer.Mr Hancock has said the "majority" of people will get their result in 24 hours, but for some it might take a bit longer.
The result will be added to a person's medical record so their doctor is informed, he added.The result will be added to a person's medical record so their doctor is informed, he added.
Key workers who are unable to access the government's website will still be able to apply for a test, as employers are able to book on behalf of their staff.Key workers who are unable to access the government's website will still be able to apply for a test, as employers are able to book on behalf of their staff.
Until now, hospitals have been carrying out tests, along with a network of about 30 drive-through centres in car parks, airports and sports grounds.Until now, hospitals have been carrying out tests, along with a network of about 30 drive-through centres in car parks, airports and sports grounds.
Labour's shadow health minister, Justin Madders, told the BBC he welcomed the move to expand testing to key workers but questioned whether anything was being done to improve ease of access to the tests.Labour's shadow health minister, Justin Madders, told the BBC he welcomed the move to expand testing to key workers but questioned whether anything was being done to improve ease of access to the tests.
There is no doubting the scale and ambition of this project - up to 10 million essential workers and their families invited to go online if they have symptoms to book a virus test.There is no doubting the scale and ambition of this project - up to 10 million essential workers and their families invited to go online if they have symptoms to book a virus test.
Ensuring the system can smoothly book people their tests at drive in centres and then get results back within 48 hours will be a major technological challenge.Ensuring the system can smoothly book people their tests at drive in centres and then get results back within 48 hours will be a major technological challenge.
Some may complain that the drive-in centres are not accessible but the plan will soon involve home testing kits being sent to people to do their own swabs and send them back for laboratory testing.Some may complain that the drive-in centres are not accessible but the plan will soon involve home testing kits being sent to people to do their own swabs and send them back for laboratory testing.
The home testing kits are currently going out to NHS workers. Then government says this will be extended very soon to the wider group.The home testing kits are currently going out to NHS workers. Then government says this will be extended very soon to the wider group.
Mobile pop-up test facilities will go to workplaces.Mobile pop-up test facilities will go to workplaces.
In theory this will make a big difference to key workers self-isolating because a member of their household is unwell - if that individual tests negative then others in the home can get back to work quickly.In theory this will make a big difference to key workers self-isolating because a member of their household is unwell - if that individual tests negative then others in the home can get back to work quickly.
Or if someone is unsure about their symptoms they can easily check whether they have coronavirus.Or if someone is unsure about their symptoms they can easily check whether they have coronavirus.
This is a significant move in the drive to boost testing.This is a significant move in the drive to boost testing.
The question now is whether the IT and the infrastructure can deliver.The question now is whether the IT and the infrastructure can deliver.
The Welsh government has previously outlined plans to expand testing to key workers and Northern Ireland's health minister has announced the nation's testing programme is being expanded to include front-line workers in the private sector.
Scotland is prioritising tests for NHS staff.
Mr Hancock also detailed plans for a network of contact tracers that will be used when the lockdown is eased, insisting a process of "test, track and trace" would be "vital" to stop a second peak of the virus.
The hope is that regional outbreaks of the virus can be kept under control by isolating people with the virus, and then tracing their contacts and isolating them.
The health secretary said infrastructure would be put in place so that contact tracing can be rolled out on a "large scale".
Prof John Newton, co-ordinator of the UK's coronavirus testing programme, has said the government is "on track" to reach 100,000 tests a day by the end of April.Prof John Newton, co-ordinator of the UK's coronavirus testing programme, has said the government is "on track" to reach 100,000 tests a day by the end of April.
He said new types of test - including ones that do not rely on reagents which are in short supply - would help to reach the target. He said new types of test - including ones that do not rely on reagents that are in short supply - would help to reach the target.
Elsewhere, Mr Hancock said the plan for easing lockdown restrictions set out by Ms Sturgeon, was "very similar" to the UK government's approach.Elsewhere, Mr Hancock said the plan for easing lockdown restrictions set out by Ms Sturgeon, was "very similar" to the UK government's approach.
He said he would prefer if social distancing measures were lifted across the whole of the UK at the same time, rather than each nation changing them on their own timetable, but he also respected the "responsibilities" of devolved colleagues.He said he would prefer if social distancing measures were lifted across the whole of the UK at the same time, rather than each nation changing them on their own timetable, but he also respected the "responsibilities" of devolved colleagues.
Ms Sturgeon has reiterated that the framework was published to spark a "grown-up conversation" with the public over the key factors in deciding when to lift restrictions.Ms Sturgeon has reiterated that the framework was published to spark a "grown-up conversation" with the public over the key factors in deciding when to lift restrictions.
She told BBC Breakfast it was "important" to be clear with the public about the thought process "because it will effect all of our lives potentially for quite a long time to come, adding that the Scottish government will release a "much more detailed plan" in the future.
She said the devolved nations and UK government were "working very well" and should "try to align our decision-making", adding nations should have "good reasons" for taking their own separate decisions.She said the devolved nations and UK government were "working very well" and should "try to align our decision-making", adding nations should have "good reasons" for taking their own separate decisions.
In other developments:In other developments:
Are you a key worker who is planning to book a coronavirus test on the UK government website? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you a key worker who is planning to book a coronavirus test on the UK government website? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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