20.05.20
Welsh NHS Confederation: Testing only part of the response
As the Welsh Government announced an expansion to testing capacities for coronavirus, the Director of the Welsh NHS Confederation Darren Hughes has stressed the importance of recognising that testing forms just one aspect of our complete Covid-19 response.
Contact tracing, social distancing measures and, once available, antibody tests will all represent equally vital steps to understanding, controlling and curtailing the spread of coronavirus around both Wales and the wider UK.
Mr Hughes said: ““We welcome the expansion of testing so it is available to everyone with symptoms over 5 years old in Wales. This is a significant development and will give us a more accurate picture of how widespread Coronavirus is in our communities across Wales at this moment in time.
“It is important to recognise testing remains only one part of the picture in our response against this virus. In the NHS, we understand it will be through a package of measures that we will be able to tackle this pandemic and to give staff and the public confidence.
“Once we implement other measures, such as contact tracing, keeping to social distancing measures and once antibody tests are also more widely available, we will be confident the virus is becoming more manageable and won’t overwhelm our health and social care services.
“The health and care sector continue to work tirelessly to deliver the highest quality of care throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, and all our frontline staff are facing this challenge with great compassion, courage and resolve. Their response to Coronavirus has been nothing short of astounding.”