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1/3. On 13 March, @Channel4News reported on a new rapid #coronavirus testing kit - made in the UK - that diagnoses #coronavirus in 10 minutes!
They aren't available in the UK yet.
#NHS staff can't get tested.
But this report shows test kits being sent to Bahrain. #covidー19
They aren't available in the UK yet.
#NHS staff can't get tested.
But this report shows test kits being sent to Bahrain. #covidー19
2/3. It seems utterly bizarre that boxes of rapid #Covid19 test kits are being exported around the world, whilst frontline #NHS staff have to risk their health without PPE or tests.
It would be great if @cathynewman & #C4News could ask @MattHancock what the logic is behind this.
It would be great if @cathynewman & #C4News could ask @MattHancock what the logic is behind this.
3/3. Watching this the govt's U-turn is very stark.
"As the WHO urges countries to step up testing for #coronavirus, the UK appears to be adopting a different approach. Ystdy (12/3) it said it would only test people in hospital." #Covid19 #Corona #Covid
https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1239500507045154818
"As the WHO urges countries to step up testing for #coronavirus, the UK appears to be adopting a different approach. Ystdy (12/3) it said it would only test people in hospital." #Covid19 #Corona #Covid
https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1239500507045154818
4/3. Just to be clear, I have no criticism of the UK company for exporting the #coronavirus tests or Bahrain for buying them.
My question is why isn’t @MattHancock buying them ALL?
TESTS per million population:
1,031 - UK
14,792 - Bahrain
30,000 - Iceland
#Covid19 #COVIDー19
My question is why isn’t @MattHancock buying them ALL?
TESTS per million population:
1,031 - UK
14,792 - Bahrain
30,000 - Iceland
#Covid19 #COVIDー19
5/3. Ystdy, @MattHancock told #C4News UK policy on #COVID19 testing hadn’t changed.
This is NOT TRUE.
Testing began in March & was abandoned on 12/3. The govt then denied abandoning it (16/3), then readopted it (20/3) with the PM claiming 250K tests/day! https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1236697752706351105?s=21 https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1236697752706351105
This is NOT TRUE.
Testing began in March & was abandoned on 12/3. The govt then denied abandoning it (16/3), then readopted it (20/3) with the PM claiming 250K tests/day! https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1236697752706351105?s=21 https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1236697752706351105
6/3. Today, @vicderbyshire spoke to the director of a UK company that makes protective equipment (PPE) who said they’re exporting all over the world but haven’t had orders from the UK.
They offered their services to the govt but were turned down. #coronavirus #covid19UK #COVID19
They offered their services to the govt but were turned down. #coronavirus #covid19UK #COVID19
7/3. This TWO PART film shows
PPE given to healthcare workers in China.
A NHS nurse who has to share masks & filters told @gmb: “Matt Hancock and this government had four months to prepare for this. China had less than a week."
https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1242724948965285888?s=21 https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1242724948965285888
PPE given to healthcare workers in China.
A NHS nurse who has to share masks & filters told @gmb: “Matt Hancock and this government had four months to prepare for this. China had less than a week."
https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1242724948965285888?s=21 https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1242724948965285888
8/3. @nora17 writes: “This is my husband, Dr Firas Majeed, who is working in a #Covid19 ward and about to examine a patient dying from #Coronavirus.
Look at this rubbish he is wearing!
It’s disgraceful!
Even doctors dealing directly with dying patients don’t have proper PPE.”
Look at this rubbish he is wearing!
It’s disgraceful!
Even doctors dealing directly with dying patients don’t have proper PPE.”
9/3. CEO of a ventilator manufacturer, interviewed by @maitlis.
EM: “You got in touch with the govt offering to make #Covid19 ventilators weeks ago. What happened then?”
CEO: “Nothing.”
He says govt should have funded EXISTING ventilator manufacturers.
EM: “You got in touch with the govt offering to make #Covid19 ventilators weeks ago. What happened then?”
CEO: “Nothing.”
He says govt should have funded EXISTING ventilator manufacturers.
10/3. The NHS says we need 25,000 ventilators
A month ago, we had 5,900
A week ago, @MattHancock claimed we had 12,000
This week govt confirmed we have 8,175
Airbus & Dyson are starting to build
As with testing, all govt ministers say is “RAMPING UP”.
A month ago, we had 5,900
A week ago, @MattHancock claimed we had 12,000
This week govt confirmed we have 8,175
Airbus & Dyson are starting to build
As with testing, all govt ministers say is “RAMPING UP”.
11/3. A week ago, @BorisJohnson said we would “ramp up” #COVID19 testing from 5,000 tests/day to “250,000” (!)
He repeated 250,000 again yesterday.
Currently, the UK is only testing around 5,000 people per day &
NHS staff aren’t getting properly tested. https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1240699791308255232?s=21
He repeated 250,000 again yesterday.
Currently, the UK is only testing around 5,000 people per day &
NHS staff aren’t getting properly tested. https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1240699791308255232?s=21
12/3. It is possible to “ramp up” #COVID19 testing.
Spain, for eg, will receive 250,000 quick #coronavirus tests next week!
But the govt needs to buy tests & they’re in very high demand.
Are UK companies still exporting tests? Can we use them in UK yet? http://www.elpuntavui.cat/societat/article/14-salut/1764557-salut-preveu-rebre-250-000-tests-rapids-les-setmanes-vinents.html
Spain, for eg, will receive 250,000 quick #coronavirus tests next week!
But the govt needs to buy tests & they’re in very high demand.
Are UK companies still exporting tests? Can we use them in UK yet? http://www.elpuntavui.cat/societat/article/14-salut/1764557-salut-preveu-rebre-250-000-tests-rapids-les-setmanes-vinents.html
13/3. “Those boxes are packed & ready to be shipped to Bahrain. Inside are thousands of 10 minute self-testing kits for #covid19.”
A UK company has been making #coronavirus rapid test kits & exporting them around the world. They weren’t being used in UK.
A UK company has been making #coronavirus rapid test kits & exporting them around the world. They weren’t being used in UK.
14/3. The govt first said it didn’t join a EU scheme to procure vital medical equipment, including ventilators because of Brexit.
Then they blamed an "administrative error".
But this shows @MattHancock knew about it last week. #COVID19 #COVID2019 #bbcqt
Then they blamed an "administrative error".
But this shows @MattHancock knew about it last week. #COVID19 #COVID2019 #bbcqt
15/3. “No.10 is claiming they didn’t get the email on time. WHAT?!” @KayBurley
@AlokSharma_RDG claims a "miscommunication" saw the UK miss out on EU scheme to buy ventilators.
BUT 8 days ago @MattHancock said “We are invited” to be part of the scheme!
@AlokSharma_RDG claims a "miscommunication" saw the UK miss out on EU scheme to buy ventilators.
BUT 8 days ago @MattHancock said “We are invited” to be part of the scheme!
16/3. On 19 March, the PM said: “We're ramping up daily testing from 5,000 a day, to 10,000 to 25,000 & then up at 250,000.”
The UK is STILL only doing 6,500 per day & testing for frontline NHS staff won't even START til next week.
#COVID19 #coronavirus #Covid_19 #CoronaUpdate
The UK is STILL only doing 6,500 per day & testing for frontline NHS staff won't even START til next week.
#COVID19 #coronavirus #Covid_19 #CoronaUpdate
17/3.
Q. Why aren’t NHS staff getting #COVID19 tests?
A. We’re ramping up!
Q. Why isn’t there PPE?
A. We’re ramping up!
Q. Why didn’t you join EU ventilator procurement scheme?
A. The dog ate the application.
Q. Whose idea was the #HerdImmunity strategy?
A. Never heard of it.
Q. Why aren’t NHS staff getting #COVID19 tests?
A. We’re ramping up!
Q. Why isn’t there PPE?
A. We’re ramping up!
Q. Why didn’t you join EU ventilator procurement scheme?
A. The dog ate the application.
Q. Whose idea was the #HerdImmunity strategy?
A. Never heard of it.
18/3. The CEO of the #COVID19 testing company featured in the @Channel4News investigation 
says that only the first shipment of their rapid #coronavirus tests was sent to Bahrain & now there is no shipping outside the UK.
He also says there have been “no govt purchases yet.”
says that only the first shipment of their rapid #coronavirus tests was sent to Bahrain & now there is no shipping outside the UK.He also says there have been “no govt purchases yet.”
19/3. GOOD NEWS: Stories about
shortages of ventilators & lack of PPE for #NHS staff will soon be a thing of the past.
THE BAD NEWS: That’s because
staff will be subject to disciplinary action if they raise concerns with the media. #coronavirus #COVID19 https://www.union-news.co.uk/gma-stands-with-nhs-workers-face-te-sack-for-blowing-the-whistle-on-governments-coronavirus-failings/
shortages of ventilators & lack of PPE for #NHS staff will soon be a thing of the past.
THE BAD NEWS: That’s because
staff will be subject to disciplinary action if they raise concerns with the media. #coronavirus #COVID19 https://www.union-news.co.uk/gma-stands-with-nhs-workers-face-te-sack-for-blowing-the-whistle-on-governments-coronavirus-failings/
20/3. I spoke with a doctor in South Africa, a country that acted swiftly to combat #COVID19.
They’ve been on total lockdown for weeks & take testing seriously.
The Nkosi Albert Luthuli hospital in Durban is doing as many tests per day as the ENTIRE UK!
They’ve had 11 deaths.
They’ve been on total lockdown for weeks & take testing seriously.
The Nkosi Albert Luthuli hospital in Durban is doing as many tests per day as the ENTIRE UK!
They’ve had 11 deaths.
South Africa will reportedly be testing 37,000 people per day by the end of this week - almost 4 times as many as the UK.
The UK govt’s testing chief admitted ystdy that none of the 3.5 million antibody tests ordered from China are fit for widespread use. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-test-antibody-kit-uk-china-nhs-matt-hancock-a9449816.html
The UK govt’s testing chief admitted ystdy that none of the 3.5 million antibody tests ordered from China are fit for widespread use. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-test-antibody-kit-uk-china-nhs-matt-hancock-a9449816.html
The counties that followed @WHO advice seem to have avoided the ravages of #COVID19.
New Zealand has only had one fatality
Vietnam hasn’t had a single death from #coronavirus among its 96 million people.
Act quickly
Test
Trace
Identify
Isolate
New Zealand has only had one fatality
Vietnam hasn’t had a single death from #coronavirus among its 96 million people.
Act quicklyTestTraceIdentify Isolate
Govt gave manufacturers - including @Dyson - the wrong basic specifications for the ventilators it asked them to make.
“If we had been told that the ventilators were only to treat a patient for a few hours we’d have said: ‘Don’t bother, you’re wasting your time’.” @AlisonPittard
“If we had been told that the ventilators were only to treat a patient for a few hours we’d have said: ‘Don’t bother, you’re wasting your time’.” @AlisonPittard
On 26 March, @nadhimzahawi told @BBCNewsnight: “All ventilators will be useable because we’re working hand-in-glove with the regulator”.
@maitlis: Will any of these new ventilators be ready in two weeks time?
Zahawi: Yes of course.
It has been 3 weeks. https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1243073827392950274?s=21
@maitlis: Will any of these new ventilators be ready in two weeks time?
Zahawi: Yes of course.
It has been 3 weeks. https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1243073827392950274?s=21
On 18/3, the PM said “we’re moving up to 25,000 tests/day” & a govt press release said this capacity “is expected to be ready within 4 weeks”.
On 19/3, he said the number of tests would “ramp up” to 250,000/day. He repeated this figure on 26/3.
Ystdy, UK tested 11,170 people.
On 19/3, he said the number of tests would “ramp up” to 250,000/day. He repeated this figure on 26/3.
Ystdy, UK tested 11,170 people.
Matt Hancock tells @piersmorgan the @FT’s report yesterday that ventilators being made by British manufacturers won’t be fit for purpose, is wrong. @AlisonPittard @Michael_Pooler @pmdfoster
A million #coronavirus tests a week can be delivered by a British company, but Public Health England has not taken up the offer.
The company, which supplies #COVID19 tests to Germany, said the first 150,000 MHRA-approved tests, are available immediately. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/15/british-company-can-deliver-one-million-coronavirus-tests-per/
The company, which supplies #COVID19 tests to Germany, said the first 150,000 MHRA-approved tests, are available immediately. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/15/british-company-can-deliver-one-million-coronavirus-tests-per/
Mind-blowing #MustRead thread 
by the @FT’s @pmdfoster, setting out the inside story of the UK’s scramble to source ventilators.
#Covid_19 #Covid19 #coronavirus
https://twitter.com/pmdfoster/status/1251434219139665920?s=21 https://twitter.com/pmdfoster/status/1251434219139665920
by the @FT’s @pmdfoster, setting out the inside story of the UK’s scramble to source ventilators. #Covid_19 #Covid19 #coronavirus
https://twitter.com/pmdfoster/status/1251434219139665920?s=21 https://twitter.com/pmdfoster/status/1251434219139665920
“There were no gowns, visors, swabs or body bags in the govt’s pandemic stockpile when #Covid19 hit UK.”
“The govt ignored warnings from advisers about shortages.”
“NHS staff are being put at risk because of the shortage of PPE.”
Report by @BBCPanorama.
“The govt ignored warnings from advisers about shortages.”
“NHS staff are being put at risk because of the shortage of PPE.”
Report by @BBCPanorama.
I’m posting this cartoon but the situation is no laughing matter.
12/3: Govt stopped community testing.
13/3; #C4News reported #coronavirus testing kits were being shipped to Bahrain
27/3: DCHO said WHO’s “test, test, test” advice was for less developed countries, not UK.
12/3: Govt stopped community testing.
13/3; #C4News reported #coronavirus testing kits were being shipped to Bahrain
27/3: DCHO said WHO’s “test, test, test” advice was for less developed countries, not UK.
WHO advice is clear - detect, test, treat, isolate, trace.
This was Jenny Harries saying @DrTedros’ explicit call for countries to “test, test, test” didn’t apply to the UK.
The govt’s #HerdImmunity strategy left the UK way behind on #Covid19 testing.
This was Jenny Harries saying @DrTedros’ explicit call for countries to “test, test, test” didn’t apply to the UK.
The govt’s #HerdImmunity strategy left the UK way behind on #Covid19 testing.
Remember when the country was waiting for days for the 84 tonnes of PPE - including gowns - to arrive from Turkey?
Today it turns out all 400,000 protective gowns that finally arrived in a shipment flown in by the RAF, failed to meet NHS standards.
Today it turns out all 400,000 protective gowns that finally arrived in a shipment flown in by the RAF, failed to meet NHS standards.
Ten weeks ago I would have said “SHOCKING!”...but nothing about the govt’s #COVID19 response shocks me now.
@Channel4News has seen the inventory of the UK govt’s pandemic PPE stockpile. Almost 80% of respirators were out of date when #coronavirus hit.
@Channel4News has seen the inventory of the UK govt’s pandemic PPE stockpile. Almost 80% of respirators were out of date when #coronavirus hit.
“It’s a big plane. RAF”
“I think it’s a Hercules”
“They’re probably flying those 84 tonnes of useless PPE back to Turkey”
“Not even funny”
#Covid19UK #coronavirusuk #COVID19 #coronavirus
“I think it’s a Hercules”
“They’re probably flying those 84 tonnes of useless PPE back to Turkey”
“Not even funny”
#Covid19UK #coronavirusuk #COVID19 #coronavirus
The PPE shortage was NOT ‘unavoidable’ or a ‘mistake’.
One firms “plan to manufacture face masks in the UK for 10p a unit was turned down by govt, despite its offer to make 75m masks a month at no profit when the NHS need for PPE was at its most dire.” https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/who-profits-coronavirus-government-spending-boom_uk_5f0890c0c5b63a72c3413817
One firms “plan to manufacture face masks in the UK for 10p a unit was turned down by govt, despite its offer to make 75m masks a month at no profit when the NHS need for PPE was at its most dire.” https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/who-profits-coronavirus-government-spending-boom_uk_5f0890c0c5b63a72c3413817
PPE guidance changed over 20 times in the first five months of the year.
Not only was there an inadequate supply of PPE, but also there was inappropriate guidance given despite the RCGP flagging their concerns at the start of the pandemic to @MattHancock.
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/phe-slammed-by-safety-watchdog-over-poorly-communicated-ppe-guidance/20041407.article
Not only was there an inadequate supply of PPE, but also there was inappropriate guidance given despite the RCGP flagging their concerns at the start of the pandemic to @MattHancock.
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/phe-slammed-by-safety-watchdog-over-poorly-communicated-ppe-guidance/20041407.article
