The British government has launched an
investigation into how nearly 16,000 new
coronavirus infections went unreported as a
result of a technical glitch, a failing that could have given fresh
impetus to an outbreak that critics say could easily get out of control.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the problem related to the “automated transfer of files.” The problem is widely thought to be connected to the file size limitations on Excel spreadsheets used in the test-and-trace program.
“This is a serious issue which is being investigated fully,” Hancock said. “Now it is critical we work together to put it right and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Hancock’s appearance at the House of Commons came after the weekend disclosure that 15,841 virus cases weren’t tabulated from September 25 to October 2. Though those testing positive had been told of their status, their contacts — potentially around 50,000 people — weren’t traced, a failing that could have allowed the virus to flourish.
He said 51 per cent of those testing positive were contacted again and that their contacts were reached immediately after that.
Despite the addition of so many new cases, he said the government’s chief medical officer “has not substantially changed” his opinion about the epidemic’s path in the UK, which like other countries in Europe is witnessing a second spike of the virus.
The unreported cases were added to the government’s daily new infections total over the weekend, boosting Saturday’s number to 12,872 cases and Sunday’s to 22,961. That compared to an average of 7000 new cases a day the four days before.
The number of new cases reported Monday fell to 12,594, but given the adjustments related to the missing cases, it was impossible to figure out a trend.
Like other countries in Europe, the UK has seen rising coronavirus infections over the past few weeks, which has prompted the government to announce a series of restrictions, both nationally and locally, to keep a lid on infections. The new rules limit the number of people allowed to gather together and put a curfew on pubs.
The UK has Europe’s highest virus-related death toll at around 42,400.
The confusion over the daily testing numbers only adds to the uncertainty over whether the restrictions are working in suppressing the virus.
Source: 9news
