Coronavirus: UK develops 90-minute testing service

A new development in coronavirus testing has been made as new 90-minute tests have been introduced.

These 90-minute tests can detect coronavirus and flu, they will be introduced in care homes and laboratories from next week in the UK.

The government said that these tests will help differentiate between Covid-19 and other seasonal illnesses.

The health secretary said that it would be “hugely beneficial” over the weekend.

The development comes as the government halted a July target to test care home staff and residents regularly.

According to the international news agency, around half a million of the new rapid swab tests, called LamPORE, will be available in adult care centers and laboratories from next week. More will be available later this year.

In addition to this, thousands of DNA test machines will be introduced across NHS hospitals from September.

These DNA machines are already being used in eight London hospitals and can examine nose swabs.

The health department said that nearly 5,000 machines will offer 5.8 million tests in the coming months.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock called these developments “life-saving”.

He said, “Millions of new rapid coronavirus tests will provide on-the-spot results in under 90 minutes, helping us to break chains of transmission quickly.

“The fact these tests can detect flu, as well as Covid-19, will be hugely beneficial as we head into winter, so patients can follow the right advice to protect themselves and others.”