Randox Covid tests ‘averted thousands of virus hospitalisations and deaths’ 

One of the biggest manufacturers of Covid tests claims its swabs averted thousands of deaths during the pandemic, analysis suggests.

A report, commissioned by diagnostics firm Randox, concluded that 14,000 fewer patients were hospitalised with the virus because of its PCR swabs.

The company, which was awarded more than £600million in Government contracts without a competitive bidding process, also took credit for averting 3,000 Covid deaths.

The findings, compiled by consultancy firm OCO Global, concluded that tests provided by the Northern Ireland-based company also delivered £8.3billion of benefits to the economy.

Randox claims this was due to driving down transmission, getting key staff back to work faster and enabling international travel.

Former Tory MP Owen Paterson (right) quit in November 2021 after a probe found that he broke lobbying rules while working for Randox, as well as other companies

The report sets out that Randox processed more than 17million PCR tests as part of the UK’s testing programme, between March 2020 and June 2022 — around 12 per cent of all the country’s tests.

Within the first nine months of the virus hitting Britain’s shores, Randox’s capacity increased from 300 tests per day to 120,000.

Rapid upscaling in response to the Covid crisis as well as innovation in software, automation and robotics, enabled it to do so, the report states.

The company also provided a further 7.7million PCR tests and 1.8million lateral flow swabs to corporate clients and international travellers.

Around 4.4million international return journeys took place due to Randox tests, it is estimated.

Earlier in the pandemic, those arriving in the UK had to show proof of a negative test taken within two days of travelling, as well as pay for a PCR test when back in Britain.

OCO Global’s findings were based on data from Randox and interviews.

A spokesman for Randox said: ‘We believe this report delivers clear evidence of the performance, outcomes and value of the work which Randox is proud to have carried out during one of the greatest peacetime emergencies to have hit the world and the UK.’

Former Tory MP Owen Paterson quit in November 2021 after a probe found that he broke lobbying rules while working for Randox, as well as other companies.

Mr Paterson was paid nearly £100,000 a year by Randox, alongside his salary as MP for North Shropshire.

An investigation by the parliamentary watchdog found that he broke House of Commons rules by lobbying on behalf of the firm.

Mr Paterson has insisted that he acted in the interests of public health and safety at all times, while Randox has repeatedly said that the former MP played no role in the company securing the Government’s contract.