Coronavirus tests set to be available to buy within days

Professor Sharon Peacock, director of the National Infection Service for Public Health England, said 3.5 million tests had been bought and would be available in the ‘near future’.

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She said the tests would allow key workers such as doctors and nurses to go back to work if they have developed antibodies.

Prof Peacock explained a small number of tests would be tested in a laboratory before being distributed via Amazon and in places like Boots.

She added: “Once we are assured that they do work, they will be rolled out into the community.

“Testing the test is a small matter, and I anticipate that it will be done by the end of this week.

“In the near future people will be able to order a test that they can test themselves, or go to Boots, or somewhere similar to have their finger prick test done.”

FIGURES: Sheffield cases rise by more than a third in 24 hours

The public will be able to conduct coronavirus antibody tests at home within a matter of days, rather than weeks and months, MPs have heard.

There are now 174 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Sheffield.

Figures published by Public Health England last night revealed a rise of 44 cases in the last 24 hours – a 34 per cent increase.

Four people have died in the city so far.

There are 15 cases in Doncaster, 19 inBarnsley and 20 in Rotherham.