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Coronavirus: How close is the UK to 100,000 tests a day? Coronavirus: How close is the UK to 100,000 tests a day?
(about 13 hours later)
The UK government has pledged to do 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of April.The UK government has pledged to do 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of April.
It managed more than 52,000 in the 24 hours up to 09:00 on 29 April.It managed more than 52,000 in the 24 hours up to 09:00 on 29 April.
The government says it has the capacity to carry out 75,000 tests a day, but not all of this capacity is being used.The government says it has the capacity to carry out 75,000 tests a day, but not all of this capacity is being used.
Where did the 100,000 target come from?Where did the 100,000 target come from?
First the government said it would carry out 10,000 tests a day. Then it set a target of 25,000 a day by the middle of April. But on 2 April, while still struggling to meet that target, Health Secretary Matt Hancock promised 100,000 coronavirus tests would be carried out a day by the end of the month. First the government said it would carry out 10,000 tests a day. Then it set a target of 25,000 a day by the middle of April. But on 2 April, Health Secretary Matt Hancock promised 100,000 tests would be carried out a day by the end of the month.
He was coming under pressure as the UK lagged behind other comparable nations - Germany was up to more than 100,000 tests a day on average by 4 April.He was coming under pressure as the UK lagged behind other comparable nations - Germany was up to more than 100,000 tests a day on average by 4 April.
However, on Thursday Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told BBC Breakfast: 'If it isn't met, we are well on our way to ramping this up - 100,000 is an important milestone but we need more. The PM talked about 250,000, that's where we need to be going."
Saffron Cordery of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, said the rationale for the UK needing to get to that particular figure wasn't "entirely clear".Saffron Cordery of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, said the rationale for the UK needing to get to that particular figure wasn't "entirely clear".
The published number of tests carried out is higher than the actual number of people tested, since some people need more than one.The published number of tests carried out is higher than the actual number of people tested, since some people need more than one.
Who can get tested?Who can get tested?
As more test sites and labs have been set up, more people have become eligible for testing.As more test sites and labs have been set up, more people have become eligible for testing.
At first, across the UK, the focus was on the sickest patients in hospitals, followed by health, care and emergency services staff, then other essential workers and their families.At first, across the UK, the focus was on the sickest patients in hospitals, followed by health, care and emergency services staff, then other essential workers and their families.
Most recently in England, testing has been expanded to anyone with symptoms who is:Most recently in England, testing has been expanded to anyone with symptoms who is:
In care homes, staff and residents in England can now be tested even if they don't have any symptoms.In care homes, staff and residents in England can now be tested even if they don't have any symptoms.
But these tests show if people currently have the virus. They do not show if a person has had it in the past.But these tests show if people currently have the virus. They do not show if a person has had it in the past.
If a test is negative, a key worker can return to work if they are well enough, have not had a high temperature for 48 hours, and those living with them test negative.If a test is negative, a key worker can return to work if they are well enough, have not had a high temperature for 48 hours, and those living with them test negative.
How are the tests being offered?How are the tests being offered?
The tests are done by taking a swab of the nose or throat, which is sent off to a lab to look for signs of the virus's genetic material.The tests are done by taking a swab of the nose or throat, which is sent off to a lab to look for signs of the virus's genetic material.
Key workers in England and Scotland who are self-isolating because they or a family member have coronavirus symptoms can be referred for a test by their employer.Key workers in England and Scotland who are self-isolating because they or a family member have coronavirus symptoms can be referred for a test by their employer.
Those eligible can also book online themselves and choose whether to attend a regional test site, or ask for a home test kit - although supplies are limited.Those eligible can also book online themselves and choose whether to attend a regional test site, or ask for a home test kit - although supplies are limited.
But, with thousands of people using the site since its launch, many have found that testing slots run out quickly.But, with thousands of people using the site since its launch, many have found that testing slots run out quickly.
Wales is adopting a needs-based approach to testing for NHS and "critical" non-NHS workers.Wales is adopting a needs-based approach to testing for NHS and "critical" non-NHS workers.
In Northern Ireland, key workers can be tested at one of three drive-through centres.In Northern Ireland, key workers can be tested at one of three drive-through centres.
The British Medical Association had said the accessibility of centres was a major problem, with some driving hundreds of miles to their nearest site - especially difficult for people suffering symptoms of Covid-19.The British Medical Association had said the accessibility of centres was a major problem, with some driving hundreds of miles to their nearest site - especially difficult for people suffering symptoms of Covid-19.
There are currently 41 drive-through centres across the UK with plans for more in the coming week.There are currently 41 drive-through centres across the UK with plans for more in the coming week.
Why is testing important?Why is testing important?
People are tested to diagnose them individually, but it can also be used to understand how far the virus has spread in the population.People are tested to diagnose them individually, but it can also be used to understand how far the virus has spread in the population.
For this second reason, a total of 20,000 households in England will take part in a study where they will be tested every month for a year - both for active coronavirus infections and for antibodies that would indicate a past infection.For this second reason, a total of 20,000 households in England will take part in a study where they will be tested every month for a year - both for active coronavirus infections and for antibodies that would indicate a past infection.
It also helps people, including NHS workers, know whether they are safe to be at work. And it can help the health service plan for extra demand, including in intensive care units.It also helps people, including NHS workers, know whether they are safe to be at work. And it can help the health service plan for extra demand, including in intensive care units.
And testing can inform decisions around social distancing and lockdowns.And testing can inform decisions around social distancing and lockdowns.
Has the UK been too slow in testing for coronavirus?Has the UK been too slow in testing for coronavirus?
There have been suggestions the UK government did not act quickly enough.There have been suggestions the UK government did not act quickly enough.
The UK did not start with the resources to do mass testing, unlike some other countries. It took several weeks to expand from an initial eight public health laboratories to a wider network of private and university labs.The UK did not start with the resources to do mass testing, unlike some other countries. It took several weeks to expand from an initial eight public health laboratories to a wider network of private and university labs.
Countries like Germany and South Korea - which have tested far more widely than the UK - rapidly stockpiled kits and made the test available to a larger number of labs.Countries like Germany and South Korea - which have tested far more widely than the UK - rapidly stockpiled kits and made the test available to a larger number of labs.
As of 26 April, the UK had carried out eight tests per 100,000 people, whereas Italy had done 30 per 100,000 and South Korea 12, according to data collated by online scientific publication Our World in Data from official sources. Germany had carried out 25 per 100,000 as of 19 April, according to its latest figures. As of 26 April, the UK had carried out eight tests per 1,000 people, whereas Italy had done 30 per 1,000 and South Korea 12, according to data collated by online scientific publication Our World in Data from official sources. Germany had carried out 25 per 1,000 as of 19 April, according to its latest figures.
What about antibody tests?What about antibody tests?
An antibody test shows whether someone has already had the virus.An antibody test shows whether someone has already had the virus.
They work by looking for signs of immunity, by using a drop of blood on a device that works a bit like a pregnancy test.They work by looking for signs of immunity, by using a drop of blood on a device that works a bit like a pregnancy test.
No home antibody test has yet been found to be reliable enough to be used.No home antibody test has yet been found to be reliable enough to be used.
A more reliable laboratory antibody test is in use at Porton Down, but it is currently being reserved to estimate population-level immunity - not to give individuals information about their infection status.A more reliable laboratory antibody test is in use at Porton Down, but it is currently being reserved to estimate population-level immunity - not to give individuals information about their infection status.
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What do I need to know about the coronavirus?What do I need to know about the coronavirus?