Prime Minister: 12 weeks to turn the tide against coronavirus
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Prime minister Boris Johnson has announced he wants the UK to ramp-up coronavirus testing to 250,000 tests a day as he aims to “turn the tide within 12 weeks.”
Mr Johnson acknowledged that does not mean that the crisis would not conclude within that time but the way through the worst of the infection will be decided by then.
He also revealed negotiations are underway for a simple antibody test that can show if someone has had coronavirus.
If demonstrated that it can work then it could lead to thousands of people returning to work as they would have less vulnerability to the infection.
The Prime Minister also said he would not repeat the mistake of the 2008 financial crisis by backing the big banks and failing to support the people who suffer the economic consequences of the virus.
Mr Johnson said: “I wanted to say something about the timescale – I think we can turn the tide within 12 weeks and send it packing but only if we all follow the recommended steps.
“Then the scientific progress we are making will come into play. Today, we have put the first British patient into a randomised testing for a vaccine.
“We are getting better at testing – the danger of this disease is that it is invisible and work is being done to remove its cloak of anonymity.
“We are negotiating to buy an antibody test that is as simple as a pregnancy test and shows if someone has had the infection because once you have had it you’ll be less vulnerable to it and can return to work which is a game-changer.
“We are making fantastic progress on testing. We ramping-up testing from 5000 a day to 10,000, to 25,000 to 250,000 tests a day.
“But it is absolutely vital that we stay at home, if you or a member of your family has the symptoms stay at home, work from home if you can because it is only through resolute and ruthless determined action that we can beat this.”
On the economic fall out, Mr Johnson said: “Back in 2008 people said we backed the banks but this time we will really look after the people who suffer the economic consequences.”
