Covid-19 in the United Kingdom: shortage of tests at the height of a contamination record
Queue for Covid-19 screening tests in London, December 16, 2021. AP - Alberto Pezzali
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
The UK is running out of antigen and PCR tests due to "
exceptionally high demand
", warns the UK Health Security Agency.
The number of contaminations climbed to more than 183,000 in 24 hours this Wednesday, December 29, Omicron representing 90% of cases.
More than 10,000 people are hospitalized with Covid-19.
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With our correspondent in London,
Marie Boëda
Neil, brown hair, dark coat, comes out of a drugstore with a sigh.
“
I came to get antigen tests.
I tried to book online, they gave me a code and told me to come to the pharmacy.
I just did 2 and no one has.
There are so many cases, I'm not surprised.
Everyone wants it to find friends and family.
"
He had already tried his luck this Tuesday, December 28.
He still has two left.
He will use them before his New Years Eve party and hopes his friends find some on their side.
►
See also: United Kingdom: the surge in Covid-19 cases leads to a staff shortage
"When we receive it, the stock leaves in 30 minutes"
Not sure, according to Zuria, the pharmacist.
He has been facing the anger and incomprehension of his regulars for three weeks.
It is not, however, for lack of making requests every day to receive them.
“
Everyone wants antigen tests, some have to do it to go to work,” he
explains.
The problem is, we don't have any more.
When we receive it, the stock leaves in 30 minutes.
There it was Christmas time.
We never had a delivery.
Today neither.
I don't think we'll have any tomorrow.
You know, sometimes customers get angry, they slam the door when they leave.
Unfortunately, nothing more can be done.
"
He still has his usual job to do, his clients to advise, those who come to collect their medication.
Added to that are these tests that do not happen.
In the same street, several pharmacies hang a sheet of paper at the entrance where it is written: “No
more antigen test.
"
►
To read also: United Kingdom: London in the expectation of restrictions which do not come
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