The home test for coronavirus will involve pricking a finger (PA)

Home testing kits for coronavirus will be available from Amazon and Boots within days, according to Public Health England (PHE).

The test, which will involve pricking a finger to produce a drop of blood, will crucially be able if a person has already had Covid-19.

The current tests in hospitals involve nasal swaps which can only determine whether someone currently has the virus.

But Professor Sharon Peacock, director of the national infection service at PHE, told MPs on Wednesday that millions of the tests have been ordered and could be used ‘in the near future’.


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Asked if the availability of the kits will be a matter of days rather than weeks Professor Peacock replied: ‘Absolutely.’

The test would pave the way for key workers to return to work if it shows that they have built up an immunity.

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Professor Peacock said: ‘Several million tests have been purchased for use.

‘These are brand new products. We have to be clear they work as they are claimed to do.

Swab tests in use can only determine whether someone currently has coronavirus (EPA)

‘Once they have been tested this week and the bulk of tests arrive, they will be distributed into the community.

‘In the near future people will be able to order a test so they can test themselves or go to Boots or somewhere similar to have their finger-prick test done.’

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