NEW £5 Covid tests could mean crowds returning to footie matches and live gigs by early next year.
The pregnancy-style tests which produce results in minutes would allow millions of Brits with a negative result to socialise.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Covid tests could allow Brits to socialise again after trials show they pick up 95 per cent of highly infectious casesCredit: AP:Associated Press
Trials show they picked up more than three in four positive cases the majority of which are currently being missed. And accuracy reached 95 per cent in the most infectious individuals.
Experts also reckon widespread use of the DIY tests could slash Covid transmission by 90 per cent. Government scientists say the findings pave the way for daily freedom passes.
Those testing negative in the morning would be allowed to safely return to football matches, concerts, cinemas and busy pubs.
One expert said they would personally be confident spending time in a crowd if everyone had taken the checks and been given the all-clear.
Officials have now offered 600,000 tests to 67 towns and cities as a route out of lockdown.
And millions more will be rolled-out if a Liverpool pilot to test the whole city proves a success.
‘PUMMEL THE DISEASE’
Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, said: These inexpensive, easy to use tests can play a major role in our fight against Covid-19.
They identify those who are likely to spread the disease and when used systematically in mass testing could reduce transmissions by 90 per cent.
They will be detecting disease in large numbers of people who have never previously even received a test.
At Prime Ministers Questions in the Commons yesterday, a bullish Boris Johnson told MPs a possible vaccine and better testing means we have two boxing gloves to pummel the disease in the weeks ahead.
But UK Covid deaths passed 50,000 after 595 more daily fatalities were recorded yesterday
And Chief Medical Officer Prof Chris Whitty has written to doctors warning that they may have to treat Covid patients over winter no matter what their current role.
A Government source said that alongside the vaccine, on-the-spot checks will help us to get towards a normal life in spring.
Brits testing negative would be allowed to safely return to football matches, cinemas and busy pubsCredit: Getty – Contributor
Live gigs could also return and give the music industry a much needed boostCredit: Getty – Contributor
Prof Van-Tam said he will personally join efforts to beat Covid at record speedCredit: Reuters
Early results on a Covid jab made by the drug giant Pfizer show it reduces the risk of falling ill by more than 90 per cent.
The UK will have 10million doses ready for use this year, but regulators cannot approve the drug until safety data from trials is submitted later this month.
Millions of elderly Brits are being urged to get immunised, as one of the nations top doctors revealed his mum is already on standby.
Jonathan Van-Tam said it will be the most important vaccination programme for decades.
The deputy chief medical officer told a Downing Street briefing he would be at the front of the queue if trials show jabs are safe.
‘VIGOROUS SAFETY CHECKS’
But Prof Van-Tam said he will wait his turn and encouraged all Brits to apply the mum test.
He said: My mum is 78, she will be 79 shortly, and I have already said to her, Mum, make sure when you are called you are ready, be ready to take this up this is really important for you because of your age.
Prof Van-Tam said he will personally join efforts to beat Covid at record speed, by vaccinating Brits on evenings and at weekends.
He added: This is one of the most important, if not the most important, vaccination programme weve done for decades.
If I can help with this in some evenings and weekends doing some extra vaccinations sessions myself then Im going to.
Thats a given if I can get on the list and be useful.
By Sarah Grealish
BORIS Johnson yesterday gave Brits food for thought, urging everybody to get a coronavirus vaccine once its available, during a visit to a Tesco distribution centre with Rishi Sunak.
Kitted out in facemasks and the supermarkets high-vis vests the pair were given a guided tour of the distribution centre in Erith, south-east London.
The Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer helped staff load delivery vans with baskets of shopping while discussing the covid jab.
He said: The priority list will be decided by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
They will look at the groups that really need it first and they will typically be the elderly, the vulnerable, people in care homes and so on. That is how we will do it.
Certainly I would say to everybody anti-vaxx is total nonsense – you should definitely get a vaccine.
The Prime Minister also confirmed he would be happy to have the vaccine if it is authorised.
Mr Johnsons spokesman said: Any vaccines which are determined for use will undergo a vigorous series of safety checks. They will be absolutely safe for the public to use.
And the Prime Minister would therefore, of course, be very happy to take the vaccine himself.
Sir John Bell says the tests will ‘play a major role in our fight against Covid-19’Credit: PA:Press Association
Prof Chris Whitty has written to doctors warning that they may have to treat Covid patients over winterCredit: Reuters
JVT says he’d be first in Covid vaccine queue if he could, as he confirms elderly will be first
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk