This week laboratories across the UK were warned to expect a delay in the supply of testing kits after traces of the virus were detected in some components due for delivery.
The telegraph reported that the British government had planned to boost the rate of tests to 25,000 every day by the end of April.
Private companies were asked to help drive up test production to achieve this aim.
But one production firm, Luxembourg-based manufacturer Eurofins, told UK labs on Monday that deliveries would be delayed.
It said core parts of the testing kits had been contaminated with coronavirus.
Meanwhile last month some countries lamented the defective nature of face masks and testing kits bought from China to tackle the current coronavirus pandemic.
Spain and Netherlands are among major European countries raising concerns about the quality of these materials.
The Dutch government said it has recalled about 600,000 masks out of a shipment of 1.3 million from China for not meeting quality standards.
The defective masks had already been distributed to several hospitals currently battling the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Spanish government has also withdrawn 58,000 Chinese-made coronavirus testing kits from use.
The kits only had an accurate detection rate of just 30% and for Spain struggling with the pandemic that is a major concern.
Spain had looked to China for rapid testing kits equipment and other supplies. It intends spending €432m on tests, masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment.
But in a statement Spain’s health ministry said it would be returning the kits. Spain reportedly though bought the items from a company that purchased them in China.
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Source: Africafeeds.com
