Prognosis
U.K. Races to Fix Struggling Covid Test System as Cases Rise
- Health Secretary Hancock acknowledges ‘operational challenges’
- Government faces mounting criticism over lack of availability
A pedestrian crosses the road at an NHS Covid-19 drive-in testing centre in Bolton, on Sept. 9.
Photographer: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images
This article is for subscribers only.
Boris Johnson’s government acknowledged its Covid-19 testing program is coming under strain as a lack of availability -- even in the country’s biggest virus hotspots -- undermined efforts to contain the pandemic.
“There are operational challenges,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons on Tuesday, in response to repeated questions from MPs about why people in their districts are unable to be tested. “We have seen a sharp rise in the numbers coming forward for a test,” he said, before telling lawmakers “we will be able to solve this problem in a matter of weeks.”