Global shortage of coronavirus testing kits threatens expansion plan
A shortage of key chemicals is hampering Britain’s efforts to expand testing for Covid-19 and forcing officials to work on finding alternative components.
Testing for the virus involves amplifying sections of DNA on a device known as a PCR machine, and requires chemicals known as reagents to kickstart the process. Reagent shortages have emerged as a key constraint on increasing the rate of testing and the government is looking at whether other chemicals can be used.
Some NHS hospitals are resorting to “home brew” reagents to speed up testing with bosses elsewhere saying that they are struggling to get hold of vital chemicals.
Swabs to take samples are also a problem, with the government having previously appealed to private laboratories to hand over any stock