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The Government has reportedly ordered 50 million tests which can show if a person has had coronavirus.

The tests come after a breakthrough by scientists at the University of Oxford, working for the Government-backed Rapid Testing Consortium, according to the Mail on Sunday.

The consortium believes up to one million of the pinprick tests costing £10 each could be available by June, and 50 million by next year.

It is hoped that people could return to normal life if they are found to have protection from infection.

Read more PM to return to Downing Street amid intense pressure to ease lockdown

It comes despite the World Health Organisation saying on Saturday that there is no evidence that people who have beaten coronavirus are protected from the strain.

The consortium's leader Jonathan Allis told the Mail: "We are close to picking up 100 per cent of all cases where people have antibodies. Now it is just a question of scaling up the manufacturing process."

A Government source added: "This could be the game changer – a breakthrough moment to help us turn the tide on the virus."

The "lateral flow" tests, which are said to provide results after just 20 minutes, reportedly work by taking a small sample of blood for analysis and can provide results in as soon as 20 minutes.

If two lines then appear, users will know they have the antibodies to fight off the virus; if one line appears, the person either does not have the antibodies or the test has not worked.

The tests are said to have been designed by analysing the blood of patients who have been infected with Covid-19 but have shown few or no symptoms.

Health Minister Lord Bethell added: "This is a great story of how our manufacturers are stepping up to the challenge of Covid, and I am hopeful that their product will make an impact in our battle against this terrible disease."