Test kits delivered in Surrey as schools reopen

Secondary schools across UK began to receive supplies of rapid lateral flow coronavirus tests on Monday as government ramped up plans to ensure weekly testing for students and staff.

In a bid to keep as many schools open as possible, from January, all staff in secondary schools and colleges can have a rapid test once a week, and students will be tested daily for seven days if y come in contact with someone who has tested positive.

aim is to avoid entire so-called class 'bubbles' having to isolate at home if a student of member of staff tests positive.

Secondary schools are closed this week except for vulnerable and key workers' children.

But most primary schools have reopened.

Unions representing teachers have called for all schools to turn to remote learning for at least a couple of weeks more due to new variant, which scientists have said is up to 70% more contagious.

UK is reeling from a new coronavirus variant that has pushed infection rates to ir highest recorded levels.

On Saturday, it tched a daily record of 57,725 new cases. country has seen nearly 75,000 virus-related deaths.

In some parts of British capital and its surrounding areas, re are around 1,000 cases per 100,000 people.