Superdrug to be the first high street retailer to offer Coronavirus antibody test
Image: Superdrug logo
Tests will begin today and will detect positive antibodies 97.5 percent of the time.
The test will be sold via its Online Doctor service at a cost of £69.
It will not be available to buy in-store.
Superdrug has explained: ‘the test requires a few drops of blood collected via a finger-prick and its results and accurate and reliable.’
If people take the test and receive a positive result they recommend following the Government guidelines on social distancing.
Superdrug marketing coronavirus antibody testing service. Image: Screen grab from Home page 20th May 2020 at https://www.superdrug.com
This new test means people who were unable to be tested for Covid-19, but have had symptoms will be able to check whether they have had the disease.
London Mayor urges London shops to stock reusable face masks
London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has written to all major supermarkets requesting they stock face coverings to help protect those using London’s public transport system.
He asked that all masks should be reusable, non-medical, and at a price that is ‘accessible to all.’
This follows the government’s advice that coverings should be worn in an enclosed space when social distancing is not possible.
Lockdown has not been lifted.
⚠️ Please keep social distancing and stay at home as much as possible.
⚠️ If you have to make an essential journey by public transport, avoid rush hour, and wear a non-medical face covering to protect others. pic.twitter.com/wTS5hbIs2G
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) May 20, 2020
He went on to explain that face masks will be essential as lockdown restrictions are lifted further.
Coverings going on sale should not be medical-grade to protect limited PPE supplies for front-line workers.
The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) has also advised its members ‘to play their part in keeping customers safe’ by stocking face coverings.
NHS prioritised over social care during early stages of Coronavirus outbreak
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has confirmed: ‘We needed to make a choice about testing, we did decide to focus upon the NHS.’
He was being interviewed by Sky News and when asked whether it was government policy to focus on the health service first he replied: ‘That’s right. I think that was absolutely essential.’
Robert Buckland explains that the Govt prioritised the NHS over care homes.
A Government decision, not a scientific one. Let that sink in.
20,000 people have lost their lives due to this decision.#kayburley #WhereIsJohnson #PMQs @piersmorgan pic.twitter.com/hvclO0CdLe
— Jon Jones (@JonJonesSnr) May 20, 2020
Mr. Buckland went on to add there have been ‘huge issues’ in adult social care.
He also said: ‘We’ve seen a huge tragedy in our care homes which is a great regret.’
The Office for National Statistics figures reveal that 39,404 people died in care homes in England and Wales between the 13th of March and the 8th of May.
Rolls- Royce to axe 9,000 jobs
Rolls Royce has announced plans to cut almost a fifth of its global workforce, with the bulk of the cuts set to be in the UK.
Over 9,000 jobs will be lost as the coronavirus crisis takes a heavy toll on the manufacturer.
This comes as part of the company’s £1.3 billion cost-saving plan with £700 million coming from the job losses alone.
Since the coronavirus began, air travel has been ground to a virtual standstill.
Many airlines have announced steep job cuts, and Rolls-Royce has been severely hit by the impact of travel bans and restrictions.
Rolls-Royce COVID-19 crisis for the aviation industry has been ‘unprecedented.’
London Multimedia News 