Small laboratories join coronavirus testing effort after 'precious time wasted'

After initially pursuing a centralised policy, the government has now switched to a 'Dunkirk-style' effort utilising smaller research units

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Scientists have complained that "precious time has been wasted" before the implementation of the government's new, Dunkirk-style approach to boost Covid-19 testing.

In the past week, the Francis Crick Institute in London, Cancer Research UK units in Glasgow, Manchester and Cambridge, and laboratories at leading universities have been transformed into diagnostic facilities that will double the current levels of testing being achieved by Public Heath England (PHE).