They are ramping up the number of tests they are doing. The number of patients is rapidly accelerating and they are prioritising. For most people, knowing whether they have it or not won't make much physical difference as long as they follow guidance to self isolate, and they should self isolate anyway even if they have something else as we need to reduce all unnecessary pressure on the NHS. I understand psychologically people want to know, but there are bigger issues right now.

They ARE ramping up testing, they are doing far more testing than they were. The number of ill patients in hospital is rapidly increasing. At my hospital there are three runs a day to the lab for testing. I don't know the specifics of why they did not test your relative, but one example doesn't make the whole thing a lie.

I agree with your point about increased testing increasing awareness but the NHS only has a finite capacity of tests and facilities and they have to make a decision on the best use of it. They have decided it is most important to identify which people in hospital have it so they can isolate accordingly.

Also I apologise I should have said I am sorry your relative is having such a scary time, it's horrendous and worrying we are in the position where people with those symptoms are basically dismissed.

When they gave actual numbers for additional tests, it was 20,000 IIRC

As the number of staff in the big teaching hospitals I’d getting on for that number each, it’s easy to see that the headline figure is not transformative

But what we most urgently need is the serological test which shows if people have had the disease and are currently immune.

That will be the real game changer, and best hope for minimising deaths

@Whatsreallugoingon - I understand your concern and anxiety, but your experience does not equip you to make factual pronouncements.

Tests are so limited that it's highly likely that they cannot test everyone, even with severe symptoms. I'm going to make an educated guess that it's possible that they are reserving those tests for those who have a very low life-expectancy, because it is by doing this that they can work backwards and see rate of infection and spread.

That must be really frightening Whatsreallugoingon . I hope that your relative improves.
I'm not sure anyone is deliberately lying at the moment. But I do think that there is a difference between what is said by those 'at the top' and the reality at grassroots. Just because this is all so quick and all encompassing - reconfiguring the NHS and society to cope must be like turning an ocean liner round - it's never quick.

Yes, I think they are saving the tests for those who are presenting with the most dire symptoms - remember when they first started testing, the vast majority of tests were coming back negative. I guess they can't afford so many 'wasted' tests now?

Disclaimer: I know fuck all about this.

Sending love to your relative x

@iVampire do you know where they are on the serological test? Is it easier/less expensive than the other test?

@Whatsreallugoingon best wishes to your relative

I don’t know where they are, unfortunately! Various senior scientists strongly suggest we are close to one (in many of their recent statements)

They also say it’s the total game changer. The current test shows who has it, so v important to test hospital admissions to prevent spread and contamination, plus staff.

A serological test shows who has had it and is showing an immune response. They also say it would be a total game changer in understanding the amount of low/no symptom spread that has been going on.

I'm guessing that all the celebrities that have tested positive but are feeling ok have paid for private tests?

Yes, I think they were all paying. I wonder whether there is a mechanism for the NHS to buy them up from private doctors.

Kudos to Lewis Hamilton though, who said he chose not to take a test, despite being with Idris Elba and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, because he thinks they should be kept for people who really need them.

Asthmatic Ds was seen in A&E for bad chest with a horrid cough, same thing had a chest xray Dr advised most likely Corona virus. He was not tested as the criteria is more than one night needed in hospital.

I wonder who will be able to get the antibody test?. I would like to know for sure DS has had Corona and now immune. But also it would be good to know as then we are able to go out and help others.

I understood they were targetting NHS staff for testing first of all so they could get people out of isolation and back to work if possible?

That was from Tobias Ellwood on LBC this morning, he said something along the lines that they are currently on about 5000 tests per day and aiming for 25,000.

Whatsreallugoingon With respect, there is not one country in the world that is testing all its citizens. Why do you think it is? Do you think they're all being dishonest?

There are over 500 million people living in Europe. There are 66 million people in the UK alone. Do you think all any government has to do is wave a magic wand and hey presto, tests appear for all? Not to mention all the labs, testing equipment and people power needed to carry out the tests.

I think we're allowed to be angry that Boris keeps suggesting testing will be ramped up and there being little evidence of it but it's not the lack of tests that's going to accelerate the death rate. The trajectories are clearly there for all to see but the simple fact is an awful lot of people in all countries have been and continue to be in denial that it will happen to them.

I don't know what the answer is - there are simply not enough tests no matter how angry you get at Boris. Perhaps those living in certainty that they will be alright and are continuing to disregard isolation advice should have to carry a DNR around with them.

@Whatsreallugoingon:
I feel your post at 23.48, regarding your friend's Mum, is the crucial point that hasn't been picked up yet by the general population ie. the vital need to slow the spread of this virus is because practically the whole of the NHS will be swamped with Coronovirus patients and there will be little or no capacity to deal with anything or anyone else.
Sadly, it's only when people or their loved ones are affected personally, that they then start to pay heed to the advice.
But it will be too late then.
The damage will be already done.

Apologies.
Clearly, not ALL the general population are blinkered, but MANY are.

If we put over 1,000 new patients on ventilators yesterday then things are very bad indeed. 😕

I think the ways they are planning to do the new testing will only be ready in the next days. It's not as simple as saying they will do it and then just starting the next day, unfortunately.