Private medical business Dam Health UK says its Liverpool operation is seeing a big demand in people wanting COVID-19 tests before they travel abroad. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool medical business, Dam Health UK, is working around the clock to meet demand for COVID-19 tests from people travelling abroad.

It is also reporting surge in demand for its home testing kits and rapid ‘walk-in’ Covid-19 PCR tests from its Rodney Street clinic for people extending their family bubbles, during the temporary easing of COVID restrictions over the Christmas holidays.

The UK Government advises against using the NHS test and trace service to get a test for international travel purposes. A number of private companies, including Liverpool’s DAM Health, are now helping to meet the demand for ‘fit to fly’ certificates.

An increase in domestic and international travel is expected between December 23 and 27. Most international destinations may require a negative COVID-19 PCR before entry and airlines are requiring proof of a negative test before allowing passengers to board flights.

Professor Frank Joseph, director at DAM Health UK, said: “We’re experiencing huge demand for testing at our Rodney Street clinic and for home testing kits. There has been a significant increase in demand since the beginning of December.

“We’ve seen a particularly large volume of bookings from people who are planning trips abroad during the Christmas period who require ‘fit to fly’ certificates before being allowed to travel.

“We’re also getting more and more families coming to us who want the reassurance of a negative test result  before extending their bubbles during the temporary easing of restrictions. The test itself is straightforward and includes an unobtrusive swab of the inside of the mouth. It takes only a moment and offers rapid results.

“The Government advises against using NHS testing for travel purposes so we’re expanding our capacity to help people get tests. Testing allows us to get back to a normal life as possible and so it is no surprise we are seeing this demand, especially in the build up to Christmas.”