THE UK ORDERED 3.5 MILLION CORONAVIRUS TESTS FROM CHINA; THEY’RE WORTHLESS

The UK government’s new testing chief has admitted that none of the 3.5 million antibody tests ordered from China are fit for widespread use.

Professor John Newton, who was appointed by health secretary Matt Hancock to oversee testing, reportedly said the tests were only able to identify immunity in people who had been severely sick with coronavirus.

The tests did not pass the evaluation stage, and he was quoted by The Times as saying they were “not good enough to be worth rolling out in very large scale”.

Last month, a PHE director told ministers the 15-minute home test kits would be available “within days” once they have been cleared – but doubt was cast over the accuracy of the tests just days after.

The UK has allegedly bought two million coronavirus antibody tests from a Chinese manufacturer – as Number 10 continues to evaluate kits made by British firms. 

Half of the rapid fingerprick kits are being made by Guangzhou-based firm Wondfo and will arrive in Britain by the end of the week, ITV reports.

The other million, which are reportedly being held-up, are being made by AllTest, a diagnostics firm based in Hangzhou.

Both of the tests – which the Government has spent millions of pounds on – are said to have EU approval and can be used in hospitals in the UK immediately.