Keir Starmer has warned the coronavirus test-and-trace system is “on the verge of collapse”, as ministers conceded that a lack of laboratory capacity which has prevented many people getting a test could take a fortnight to be resolved. But efforts to prevent the UK following countries such as Spain and France in experiencing wider growth in cases risk being scuppered by persistent problems with the test-and-trace system. “What we’re now seeing is stories over the past few days that is showing the testing regime is on the verge of collapse,” he told the BBC. “To prevent this turning into a tragic second wave of Covid deaths, the government need to urgently get a grip on the test-and-trace system and level with the public about the severity of the situation,” Khan said. Just because we have come through one peak, it doesn’t mean we can’t see another one coming towards our shores,” he said.

Source: The Guardian September 08, 2020 18:33 UTC