Coronavirus Test System 'Not Smart Enough' To Recognise The Solent As 75-Mile Limit Is Introduced

Wednesday, 7 October 2020 13:31

By LDR Reporter

The coronavirus testing system ‘isn’t smart enough’ to recognise the Solent between the Isle of Wight and the mainland.

Simon Bryant, the Isle of Wight’s Director of Public Health, said testing capacity was being increased which should hopefully reduce those being offered tests on the Island, with a 75-mile cap placed on the distance people should travel.

Mr Bryant was speaking at a corporate scrutiny committee meeting of the Isle of Wight Council, last night, where Cllr Richard Hollis said he had been offered the nearest test available in Lewisham but did not take it.

Mr Bryant said:

“The system isn’t smart enough to be able to manage a piece of water, it doesn’t see it as anything different.

“We have done a lot of work with the ferries to discourage travel both ways because it is really not appropriate for people to travel with symptoms to the Island and from the Island for tests.”

Issues surrounding the availability of Covid-19 tests have been nationwide, with some people in the south being told to go as far as to Scotland for a test, as lab capacity has struggled to keep up with the demand.

People from the mainland have been offered a test at Newclose Cricket Ground (the Island’s testing centre) and residents on the Island have been told to travel to a testing centre on the mainland.

Mr Bryant also stressed the importance of only having a test if you are showing symptoms of Covid-19 as a lot of people ‘are being tested who do not need to be tested for Covid.’

Symptoms of the virus are a persistent cough, high temperature and the loss of taste or smell.

Despite the Island having a ‘very low’ rate of cases, Mr Bryant is still reminding people not to be complacent as case numbers are steadily rising.

The current number of confirmed coronavirus cases on the Island is 484 — with seven cases confirmed so far in the month, up until October 5.

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Coronavirus Test System 'Not Smart Enough' To Recognise The Solent As 75-Mile Limit Is Introduced

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