Unused fast tests are piling up in warehouses: Trouw

Fast coronavirus tests. Photo: Depositphotos.com
Fast coronavirus tests. Photo: Depositphotos.com

Millions of fast coronavirus tests remain unused in warehouses because the government wants to take a ‘careful’ approach to using them, Trouw reported on Friday.

The government has at least 26 million fast tests in stock but they won’t be used for months until the results of pilot projects have been assessed, the paper said.

Fast tests have a role in reducing the impact of the coronavirus measures on society. They can be used, for example, to test pupils before they go into school or to test visitors to events.

They are already being used in some countries but the Netherlands, the paper said, does not want to start using them until the test phase has been completed. Some 10 million to 13 million fast tests are being shipped to the Netherlands every month.

Testing is already taking place in a few schools and teachers unions told Trouw they don’t understand why the tests which are available are not being used. ‘We have to use tests to keep education safe, but if the fast tests are available, why are we not using them?’ a spokesman for the CNV Onderwijs union said.

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