Hospital staff in East & North Yorkshire among first in the UK to get rapid coronavirus tests

New coronavirus testing kits that can turn results around in less than half-an-hour are going to be given to staff at hospitals in East & North Yorkshire.

The Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust is one of 34 sites in the UK to sign up to mass testing programme, which has already started.

It's hoped the regular testing will help find those who have coronavirus but aren't showing any symptoms, and stop them passing the infection onto patients.

"It will also allow us to react quickly to any asymptomatic infections and enhance our collective protection"

Medical Director John Byrne believes the programme could relieve some pressure on services this winter, who are dealing with a double whammy of flu and Covid.

But he's admitted that there could be some "challenges" with staff shortages at first, as people find out whether they've got the virus.

"Ultimately it allows us to protect staff, their families and our patients in the long term" Byrne said.

It's come as hospitals in Hull cancel some routine surgeries and outpatient appointments are cancelled because so many beds are being taken up by coronavirus patients.

• coronavirus
• testing
• YORKSHIRE
• hospitals