London’s secondary school students to be mass tested

UK government’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced that secondary schools in London will be put into a mass testing program in the next coming days.

Hancock joined by NHS England’s national medical director Prof Steve Powis and Chief Medical Officer for England Prof Chris Whitty at a Downing Street press conference warned that action is needed now and they could not wait until the tier system review period on the 16 December.

Hancock said he was ‘particularly concerned’ about rises of covid cases in London, Essex and Kent

Saying that “by far the fastest rise is among secondary school-aged children, 11 to 18 years old”, but says the increase among adults is “broadly flat”.

He urges 11-18-year-olds in the three areas mentioned – Kent, Essex and London – to get tested, saying the government is “surging” the number of testing centres there.

He added these centres are “not just available in Kent, Essex and London – but across the country. working with more than 100 local authorities in England on community testing mobilisation.”

Saying that he has been in contact with the Mayor of London and council leaders.

With the six London borough’s with the highest coronavirus infection rate to take imitation action within the coming days.