Are they not testing enough people?

[Adviceplease1234]

I keep hearing people are only being tested if they have been abroad or in direct contact with a confirmed case. Are we not beyond that point now?

I understand resources are limited but the cynic in me is wondering if this is partly to keep the numbers looking low. What do you think?

I think it’s to keep the official numbers down.

They definitely aren’t.

We have active cases here, including someone who works in a shop in the town centre and someone who decided to visit the gym after diagnosis (apparently).

Yet the 111 advice still reads that you don’t need a test unless you have confirmed contact with a confirmed case.

It’s to keep official numbers down to then justify doing f all because ‘it’s not that bad’

They're definitely keeping the numbers down.

Yes. Low numbers justify current government policies. The ridiculously restrictive testing criteria are still in place. It is very hard to get tested. We're behind other countries in our testing and community transmission is being missed.

Hospitals are also testing community acquired pneumonia with X-ray changes since the beginning of this week (public health guidance changed). So if it’s out in the community we’re likely to see a spike in positives tomorrow or Saturday as it takes 72 hours to get a test back currently