Thanasis Gavos, London
The British government is expected to announce that those in England who test positive for home antigen tests for coronavirus will not need to undergo a confirmatory PCR molecular test if they do not develop symptoms.
This means that the seven-day isolation period will begin immediately – and therefore end faster – without delay in waiting for the PCR result.
It is noted that in Britain, those who do not have coronavirus symptoms undergo a rapid test. The rest have to do the most accurate molecular test. It is estimated that 40% of coronavirus carriers show no symptoms.
The government’s decision is dictated by the very large number of employees who are absent from their positions due to the quarantine obligation.
Undersecretary of Health Gillian Keegan said this morning that although no data is collected on a daily basis on the number of those isolated due to infection or symptoms, it is estimated that about 1 million people are likely to be homeless at the moment. Official figures show that almost 1.3 million people have been diagnosed positive for coronavirus in the last seven days.
The announcements are expected to be made later in the day by Prime Minister Boris Johnson or Health Minister Sajid Javid, in a scheduled statement to the House of Commons this afternoon.
It will be preceded by a cabinet meeting at which Boris Johnson, as he announced on Tuesday, will recommend maintaining the measures in force in England, without additional restrictions. “We have the opportunity to cross this Omicron wave without closing the country again,” Johnson said, referring to the milder symptoms of the new variant, protection from the booster dose and responsible citizen behavior.
Mr. Johnson announced that 100,000 employees in critical positions will undergo a daily rapid test from January 10 to prevent the virus from spreading to colleagues.
Twelve regional NHS administrations have declared a “critical incident” due to rising hospitalization and staff shortages, which means they may not be able to provide services without staff support. Many hospitals in Manchester, moreover, have said they have been forced to cancel scheduled surgeries.
There are also reports that ambulance services in the north of England are asking people who are even suffering from a heart attack to find a way to get to the hospital due to lack of staff.
It is also expected to be announced today the abolition of the obligation for travelers to England to undergo a diagnostic test before their flight.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News
and be the first to know all the news
.
_195425.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1)
