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GP's concerned over delay of Covid-19 testing kits

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 2 Apr 2020, 1:54PM
Photo / AP
Photo / AP

GP's concerned over delay of Covid-19 testing kits

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 2 Apr 2020, 1:54PM

Issues at our laboratories are behind the lag in testing for Covid-19.

Covid-19 testing's being ramped up and a broader surveillance plan for the virus is being developed.

The aim is to have five thousand tests a day.

Royal College of GPs Medical Director Bryan Betty says there have been problems with the supply of test kits and the way the criteria for testing has been worded.

He told Mike Hosking the major issue is there hasn't been the lab capacity to carry out the tests - and they've needed time to get that up to speed.

Betty says now that they have the staff, machines and swab kits - hopefully things can move forward.

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