UK ditches routine COVID tests in most high-risk spots as cases plummet
Routine asymptomatic testing phased out from August 31
The UK government is calling time on regular asymptomatic COVID testing for most high-risk settings, starting August 31. However, testing will still be mandatory for certain vulnerable groups and environments, says the Department of Health and Social Care.
Who still needs testing?
- People admitted to hospices, care homes, and immunocompromised hospital patients
- Symptomatic NHS staff and patients needing a COVID diagnosis for treatment
- Care home and hospice workers
- Social care staff and residents in care homes and hospices
- Prison staff and detainees
- Staff and service users at certain domestic abuse refuges
Cases nosedive thanks to vaccines
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay hailed the vaccine rollout as the key to living with COVID. “Thanks to the success of our world-leading vaccination programme, we are able to pause routine asymptomatic testing in most high-risk settings,” he said.
The Department reports zero COVID deaths in the past week, with case rates and hospitalisations dropping sharply.
Experts urge caution and booster jabs
Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser to the UK Health Security Agency, warned that despite these improvements, vigilance remains crucial.
“COVID case rates and hospitalisations are on the decline, demonstrating the positive impact of the vaccines, which remain our best form of defence,” she said. “Our surveillance data show that prevalence is low and decreasing. We will continue to monitor this closely.”
She urged everyone eligible to take up booster jabs and those who haven’t yet been vaccinated to do so to protect themselves and their loved ones.
