The UK’s largest Covid-19 testing laboratory has opened and hailed by the Minister of Health as the “heart” of the country in dealing with future coronavirus outbreaks.
The Rosalind Franklin Laboratory at Royal Leamington Spa will initially process and sequence thousands of Covid-19 tests every week, according to a statement from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
The department said the megalab was named after DNA pioneer and chemist Franklin “in recognition of her outstanding contribution to our current understanding of genome sequencing – one of our weapons in the fight against Covid-19”.
When fully occupied, the laboratory will also create 1,500 skilled jobs, of which more than 300 are already employed and another 700 will be added in the near future.
Health and Welfare Minister @sajidjavid confirmed today that England will take the next step on the roadmap on July 19 and urged the country to move forward confidently but moderately.
See more: pic.twitter.com/oNzo4gaL0B
– Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) July 12, 2021
It will use cutting-edge technology to complete groundbreaking genotype assay tests to quickly identify worrying coronavirus variants and new mutations.
“This will help UK disease detectives take steps to suppress outbreaks in reopening society by using tools like surge testing,” the DHSC said in a statement.
Health Minister Sajid Javid said: “This lab will be one of the core pieces of our efforts to fight this virus in the future, processing hundreds of thousands of positive Covid-19 tests every day to prevent cases from becoming outbreaks.
“Testing has already helped us control the virus, and it will be important to continue protecting ourselves and our communities in the months ahead. I would like to urge everyone to take advantage of our offer of free, twice-weekly quick tests. “
The DHSC said the megalab is at the heart of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) headed by former Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jenny Harries.
Dr. Harries said the megalab “will be a critical scientific addition to dealing with this virus in the coming months, providing us with data and information on the spread of variants that will influence decision-making and ultimately save lives”.