UK health minister defends PM on care homes

A British health minister on Thursday defended Prime Minister Boris Johnson's strategy on care homes, a day after opposition leer accused government of being lax for releasing people from hospitals into nursing homes early in outbreak without testing for coronavirus.

Ed Argar said Johnson h "quite rightly" pushed back on assertions me by Sir Keir Starmer, who quoted from government guidance available prior to March 12, and ted importance of contextualising m.

health minister said vice h changed quickly when Britain moved from contain phase on that date and evidence of COVID-19 transmission in community was beginning to be seen.

" government moved very swiftly, when that change occurred, to give very clear guidance to care homes about restricting visits, restricting access to all but most essential visitors," Argar said.

Britain’s official death total stands at 33,186, highest in Europe and second only to United States.

Argar also quoted CEO of NHS Providers Chris Hopson who said he hn't seen evidence of trusts "systematically discharging people y knew h COVID-19."

He said that during a period from February to April re h been 40%fewer discharges from hospitals into care home settings.

Argar also commented on an antibody test that shows wher people have previously been exposed to new coronavirus saying it was "very good news" and could be a "game changer".

British health authorities have for first time approved test, manufactured by Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche, which has alrey been approved for use in United States and European Union.

Public Health England says government scientists found test to be 100% accurate.

It shows wher people have been exposed to virus that causes COVID-19 and have developed antibodies against it, which may provide some immunity.

British government says it is working on plans to offer antibody tests to health care workers and public.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously said an antibody test could be a “game changer” in allowing UK to end its national lockdown.

But attempts to find a reliable test have been troubled.

Some 17.5 million tests ordered from various suppliers all failed to meet UK standards.