They did a full scale test for a possible scenario like COVID however this was never published. It was clear that no action was taken because we did not have enough PPE when the pandemic started and a lot was now out of date hence the increased risk to health and care staff.
It was known that to transfer the elderly back to care homes without a test was high risk but they wanted the hospital beds cleared. Let us not forget his alleged “let the bodies pile up” which he never denied which gives an insight into his actual thoughts on the impact.