Coronavirus: UK in talks over rollout of antibody test with near-100% accuracy rate

Latest updates and essential advice from the news source you trust Trouble viewing? [View in browser]( [Image]( [Image] Daily coronavirus briefing Latest updates and essential advice from the news source you trust UK in talks over rollout of coronavirus antibody test with near-100% accuracy rate The UK is in talks with pharmaceutical giant Roche over the [large-scale rollout of a coronavirus antibody test]( with a near-100 per cent accuracy rate, health secretary Matt Hancock has said. The Swiss-based company announced on Sunday that it is ready to ramp up production of its test to “double-digit millions per month” over the course of May for use by healthcare services around the world. It is understood that the test could be in use in the UK within weeks, helping to build a picture of the true spread of the fatal virus among the population. A further 288 patient deaths from Covid-19 were recorded across the UK on Sunday, in the [lowest daily tally since 30 March](. Deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam said that it was "now very clear in the data that we are past the peak" of the outbreak, but cautioned that “we have to get the cases lower” in order to meet the government's five tests for lifting lockdown restrictions. The figure, which includes fatalities both inside and outside hospitals, brings the total UK death toll to 28,734, leaving the country third worst-hit by the pandemic, behind the US and Italy. NHS hospitals have meanwhile been sent [unusable masks and gowns]( for staff treating coronavirus patients amid a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and advanced respirators, The Independent has been told. Across the country, managers sourcing PPE have reported receiving sub-standard masks and gowns, which have had to be boxed and left unused because they did not meet minimum safety standards. Podcast [Image]( The Independent Coronavirus Podcast Subscribe now wherever you listen for all the latest coronavirus news. [Listen now]( There's now three ways to support independent journalism. Why not explore our [subscription options](, [choose to donate]( or simply [register for free](? Top stories [I'm an image]( PREMIUM [Covid-19 isn’t even over yet but I can predict its toxic legacy]( [I'm an image]( [Most Covid-19 patients get antibodies ‘but unclear if they are immune’]( [I'm an image]( [Scientists divided over report advocating widespread use of face masks]( More news [PM warned not to ‘alienate’ sections of public when easing lockdown]( [Fears hospitals could face blame over NHS Covid-19 deaths]( [US 'could pull intelligence operations out of UK over Huawei 5G']( [NHS coronavirus app ‘will have unintended consequences’, official says]( [Nearly a quarter of UK workforce furloughed in a fortnight]( [Support Independent Journalism]( Suggested for you [I'm an image]( [Contact-tracing app released as countries pledge billions for vaccine]( [I'm an image]( [Global coronavirus death toll passes quarter of a million]( [I'm an image]( [Pregnancy support helplines report dramatic spike in urgent enquiries]( [I'm an image]( [Coronavirus model predicts more than 134,000 deaths in US]( Follow us [Twitter]( [Facebook]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's News email. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent News email and Breaking News alerts, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.