NHS activists are calling for the return of free Covid tests amid fears of a new wave

Health workers and some MPs backed a petition sent to Downing Street yesterday insisting the government bring back free lateral flow tests

NHS activists are calling for a return of free Covid tests amid fears of a new virus wave.

Health workers and some MPs backed a petition sent to Downing Street yesterday insisting the government bring back free lateral flow tests.

It is also urging Prime Minister Boris Johnson to reintroduce the isolation requirement for those with a positive test and those on financial help such as sick pay.

Infections rose 43% to 1.4 million cases in the UK last week, driven by increased mixing, more infectious omicron variants and flagging immunity.

Petition leader Dr. John Puntis, co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public, said: “Government must take some responsibility for the current level of infection and a new wave that is predicted.

“Reestablishing free lateral flow testing and encouraging self-isolation would help reduce the spread of the virus and protect against new variants and further flare-ups, as well as reduce the risk of a long Covid.”

Random testing suggests cases are up from 989,800 the previous week.

The latest figure is the highest since early May but will fall short of March’s high of 4.9 million.

In England, around one in 50 is said to have the virus, up from one in 70 a week ago.

In Wales it is one in 45, down from one in 75. Scotland is one in 30, down from one in 40.

In Northern Ireland it is one in 45, down from one in 65.

Green MP Caroline Lucas said: “It is absurd that the government has abolished free lateral flow tests.”