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Massive tests for high school children will be implemented in coronavirus hot spots in London, Essex and Kent, the health secretary announced.
Matt Hancock said he was “concerned” that the number of COVID-19 cases in those three areas were “increasing and in many areas already high” and that “by far the fastest increase” occurs among young people aged 11 to 18 years.
Although infection rates in adults living in these places are “practically flat,” he said “we know from experience” that a sharp increase in cases among young people “can lead to” the virus spreading to the elderly population. and vulnerable.
“We should not wait until the review” next Wednesday when the tier restriction system is reviewed, Hancock said.
“We need to take specific action immediately.”
Therefore, he explained, mass testing will be available to all high school-age children in the seven worst-hit boroughs in the capital, as well as parts of Essex bordering London and parts of Kent.
Hancock said he does not specify the seven boroughs of London.
“We want to keep the schools open, because that is for both education and public health,” added the Secretary of Health.
“I want to urge everyone involved to step up for testing. It is important that 11-18 year olds get tested in these districts.”
Mr. Hancock also revealed that the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine is being administered in 73 hospitals.
The jab will be available at some GP’s surgeries starting next week and in nursing homes before Christmas, he promised.
It comes after another 20,964 cases of coronavirus were registered Thursday: an increase of 4,386 compared to yesterday’s figure.
It is the highest daily increase since mid-November and brings the total number of infections during the pandemic to 1,787,783.
Another 516 coronavirus-related deaths were also reported in the last 24-hour period, a slight drop of 17 compared to the previous day.
ANALYSIS: “Don’t screw it up!”
By Rob Powell, Political Correspondent
A simple wake-up call from the health secretary in a week in which Brexit and the launch of the vaccine have diverted attention from the real virus.
Cases appear to be increasing again with a focus now on London and parts of the South East. Massive teen tests will be the immediate answer.
An eventual move to the third level now also seems inevitable.
That will be a blow to bars and restaurants looking to profit from the pre-Christmas trade.
But combine the rising case rate with the Christmas amnesty on restrictions, and you have a potentially catastrophic cocktail party.
The risk is that Londoners traveling out of the capital for the holiday break will take the virus with them and export it across the country.
Or as medical director Chris Whitty put it: “If people go too far in the Christmas period, it will be a risk period everywhere.”
Put that alongside the seasonal nature of coronaviruses, the usual winter pressures from the NHS, and a possible no-deal Brexit, and January starts to look more and more bleak.
Our gaze may have changed from COVID-19 this week.
He still has his gaze fixed on us.
