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Coronavirus: Why did the UK need 100,000 tests a day? Coronavirus: Why did the UK need 100,000 tests a day?
(4 days later)
The UK government says it has met its target of 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of last month. The UK government has failed to meet its target of providing 100,000 tests per day since the weekend.
On 30 April, 122,347 coronavirus tests were provided across the UK. Having promised to reach this goal by the end of last month, 122,347 coronavirus tests were provided across the UK on 30 April. The government came under some criticism for including in this figure home test kits counted when they were dispatched, which might not ever be returned.
The figure includes home test kits counted when they were dispatched, which may not yet have been processed. Care homes have also been reporting difficulties getting hold of the promised tests.
The target was also met on 1 May, but has been missed since. Over the past three days, between roughly 75,000 and 85,000 tests a day have been provided.
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.
Why was the 100,000 target set?Why was the 100,000 target set?
Some, including NHS leaders, have suggested the reasoning behind the particular figure was unclear.Some, including NHS leaders, have suggested the reasoning behind the particular figure was unclear.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said after the target had been reached that the "ambitious" goal had been designed to have a "galvanising effect".Health Secretary Matt Hancock said after the target had been reached that the "ambitious" goal had been designed to have a "galvanising effect".
Prof John Newton of Public Health England added: "We knew from our calculations that we would need something like this level of testing to be ready for the next phase of the response to the pandemic."Prof John Newton of Public Health England added: "We knew from our calculations that we would need something like this level of testing to be ready for the next phase of the response to the pandemic."
The UK significantly increased its testing capacity over the past month, although it lags behind many other nations. Germany, for example, was regularly averaging 100,000 tests a day by the start of April.The UK significantly increased its testing capacity over the past month, although it lags behind many other nations. Germany, for example, was regularly averaging 100,000 tests a day by the start of April.
Who can get tested?Who can get tested?
After a slow start, more test sites and labs have been set up, and 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 include anyone with symptoms who is:Most recently in England, testing has been expanded to include anyone with symptoms who is:
There have been serious problems containing the outbreak in care homes. After weeks of lockdown, it was announced that residents and staff of care homes in England could be tested even if they don't have symptoms.There have been serious problems containing the outbreak in care homes. After weeks of lockdown, it was announced that residents and staff of care homes in England could be tested even if they don't have symptoms.
Key workers across the UK who are self-isolating because they or a family member have coronavirus symptoms can be referred for a test by their employer or apply online.Key workers across the UK who are self-isolating because they or a family member have coronavirus symptoms can be referred for a test by their employer or apply online.
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 do the tests work?How do the tests work?
The tests are done by taking a swab of the nose or throat, which is sent to a lab to spot signs of the virus's genetic material.The tests are done by taking a swab of the nose or throat, which is sent to a lab to spot signs of the virus's genetic material.
Those eligible can either attend a regional test site, or ask for a home test kit - although these have been in short supply.Those eligible can either attend a regional test site, or ask for a home test kit - although these have been in short supply.
The British Medical Association had said the accessibility of centres was a major problem, with some people having to drive 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 people having to drive hundreds of miles to their nearest site - especially difficult for people suffering symptoms of Covid-19.
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 be tested every month for a year - for active coronavirus infections and for antibodies indicating a past infection.For this second reason, a total of 20,000 households in England will be tested every month for a year - for active coronavirus infections and for antibodies indicating a past infection.
It also helps people, including NHS workers, know whether they are safe to go to work. It can enable the health service plan for extra demand, and inform government decisions around social distancing and lockdowns.It also helps people, including NHS workers, know whether they are safe to go to work. It can enable the health service plan for extra demand, and inform government 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.
The UK did not start with the resources to do mass testing, unlike some other countries. But it also 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. But it also took several weeks to expand from an initial eight public health laboratories to a wider network of private and university labs.
Unlike the UK, countries like Germany and South Korea rapidly stockpiled kits and made the test available to a larger number of labs.Unlike the UK, countries like Germany and South Korea rapidly stockpiled kits and made the test available to a larger number of labs.
As of 29 April, the UK had carried out 8.83 tests per 1,000 people, whereas Italy had done 31.6 per 1,000, Germany 30.4 (as at 26 April) and South Korea 11.98, according to data collated by online scientific publication Our World in Data from official sources.As of 29 April, the UK had carried out 8.83 tests per 1,000 people, whereas Italy had done 31.6 per 1,000, Germany 30.4 (as at 26 April) and South Korea 11.98, according to data collated by online scientific publication Our World in Data from official sources.
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 proved to be reliable enough to be used.No home antibody test has yet proved 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?
Have you been tested? Or are you waiting for a test?Have you been tested? Or are you waiting for a test?
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist about your experience.Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist about your experience.
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