Following on from Prince Harry's live HIV test earlier this month, figures have shown there's been a huge increase in the number of people requesting a self-test. Harry was tested in an attempt to end the stigma associated with finding out your status – and broadcasted it on Facebook Live.
Terrance Higgins Trust launched a pilot offering people the chance to order a BioSure HIV test and to find out their status at home and on their time. The tests were offered free of charge on a first come, first served basis and, following Harry's involvement, the orders saw a five-fold increase.
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© Photo: InstagramPrince Harry took a HIV test live on Facebook
In a statement on its official website, THT revealed: "After the two-week marketing period had concluded and Terrance Higgins Trust had delivered 4,000 tests, the charity continued to receive a steady number of orders per day as the pilot drew to a close (32 orders on 12 July).
"But, on Thursday and Friday of the same week, this surged five-fold to 150 per day after Prince Harry decided to take an instant HIV test live on Facebook to normalise testing, in what Terrance Higgins Trust described as a 'ground-breaking moment in the fight against HIV'."
During his test, Prince Harry attempted to lighten the mood with a joke – but made it very clear that everybody should know their status.
He said: "So whether you're a man, woman, gay, straight, black, white, whatever – even ginger – why wouldn't you come and have a test?
"Once you've got people through that door, that's the hardest bit out the way. It's amazing how quick it is, some blood tests you have to wait weeks for."
