The UK abandoned mass coronavirus testing because it didn't have enough capacity, a top medical advisor has admitted. Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, accepted the nation would have taken a "different approach" if more tests were available.
The UK abandoned "community" testing and thorough contact tracing on March 12 after it became clear the virus was spreading beyond control.
Now that capacity has been ramped up, a "test, track and trace" approach will be brought back - this time with an NHS app - to try to contain a second peak.
At the time community testing was dropped, Dr Harries claimed it was "not an appropriate mechanism as we go forward." But today she accepted it was about resources.