Murtaza Jaffer
Press TV, London
As coronavirus cases climb once again, the strain on testing is beginning to show with many pointing their fingers at the government who reassured the country that opening the country was safe because of their world beating testing system. Now a national lockdown seems more likely than ever.
A growing sense of frustration in the UK as coronavirus cases begin to climb once again. on Wednesday 3991 new positive cases were confirmed despite the majority of people with symptoms unable to get tested meaning the number of infections is likely much higher.
At a testing site in the south east of England people visibly showing symptoms were seen in a crowded queue outside a walk-in testing site, with some saying they’d been trying to get tested for a number of days.
The government has spent months trying to get children back to school and people back to work. Many have praised the government’s scheme to get people eating out in bars and restaurants however all this relied on a robust testing facility.
Limiting testing for those with symptoms adds to the Government’s list of mix messaging throughout the course of the pandemic. On Thursday Health minister Edward Argar was asked why infections were rising so sharply and he highlighted the night time economy.
Many questioned the logic behind opening pubs and bars warning that it would fuel an increase of infections across the country but the government were adamant. Now night time curfews are being considered as a measure to control infections from pubs and bars.
Similar concerns are coming from Schools where reports indicate more than a thousand schools have reported infections over the past two weeks alone. The total number of infected teachers and students is unclear.
While the government has ruled out a national lockdown the number of localized lockdowns are steadily increasing. In north-east England, almost two million people will see more restrictions coming through from midnight on Thursday. Similar lockdowns are being considered in other areas with many now convinced wide-ranging restrictions are inevitable.