[ad_1]
Two new “mega labs” are planned to perform 600,000 coronavirus tests per day for next year, as Boris Johnson tries to draw a line with the loss of two key advisers.
The prime minister will make a “series of critical announcements,” said Number 10, following the sudden departure of assistants Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain.
And in an attempt to shore up the support of the “red wall” conservative MPs, today he will meet with the so-called Northern Research Group to “hear their ideas” and convey his commitment to “level up.”
Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain left Downing Street for good last week
But the government is facing calls from Labor to explain how a potential COVID-19 the vaccine would be distributed, in what he says could be the biggest logistical challenge since World War II.
That will probably be high Mr. Johnson agenda, as its focus is on how England will weather winter during the pandemic when the national lockdown ends on December 2.
England’s national blockade ends on December 2
To further push testing, the Department of Health has designated Leamington Spa and an unspecified location in Scotland as the site of two “mega labs”.
They will process 300,000 tests per day each and open in early 2021, with around 2,000 people, increasing employment.
Prime Minister to focus on restrictions after national lockdown
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Transforming UK diagnostic facilities is not only essential to beating this virus, but it also needs to be rebuilt better, so we are better prepared in the future for large-scale testing. .
“These mega labs are preparing our national infrastructure for the future to respond to future epidemics and improve care for other diseases, such as cancer.
“The new labs build on our existing test network that we set up in a matter of months and confirm the UK as a world leader in diagnostics.”
A spokesperson for Number 10 said the prime minister’s attention would also focus on trade agreement negotiations with the EU “as we build back better from coronavirus pandemic”.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Labor leader Sir keir starmer He said a clear delivery plan for the expected vaccine should be established soon.
“We are world leaders in vaccines and I think we should aim for a world-class program to implement it,” he stated.
“If we want to do well, we must have a clear plan now.”
Sir Keir wants the government to explain who will be eligible for the vaccine and when, whether it will turn city councils and sports centers into a vaccine clinic to speed up deployment, and how it will combat anti-vax misinformation and conspiracy theories.
