Doctor warns Covid testing 'here to stay' as private clinic opens in Leeds

DAM Health UK is opening a new clinic in the city this week as it responds to a 'surge in demand' for private testing.

Professor Frank Joseph, director of DAM Health UK, launched his first testing clinics in Liverpool and Manchester in December.

He has warned the need for testing will continue into the summer, when people may be required to provide negative tests before travelling for holidays or attending gatherings.

Professor Joseph said: "Testing is now a way of life. Our expansion to Leeds will help meet demand from people requiring private Covid-19 PCR testing.

"Even with the vaccine, which only stops people getting sick, we will need negative tests before travelling overseas for holidays or work and for gatherings.

"Many people are taking tests with us before visiting extended family bubbles too.

"Testing helps to stop the spread of the disease."

The clinic provides private PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which are lab-based and test for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Professor Joseph added: "Until we know whether the vaccine stops us from transmitting the virus, we will still need to be tested on a regular basis.

"Previous vaccines for other things have shown a decrease in transmissibility, but we can't take anything as a given with this virus, so we need to continue to work towards protecting people and this includes testing.

"We're proud to play our part in this effort and open our new clinic in the Leeds City Region. People are already making booking enquiries with us ahead of the summer holidays when travel rules could be relaxed."

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