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Coronavirus: UK 'likely to get close to or hit' 100,000 tests target | Coronavirus: UK 'likely to get close to or hit' 100,000 tests target |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The government is likely to meet or "come close" to its target of 100,000 daily UK coronavirus tests, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has said. | The government is likely to meet or "come close" to its target of 100,000 daily UK coronavirus tests, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has said. |
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government would achieve the aim by the end of April - which was Thursday - and those figures are expected later. | Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government would achieve the aim by the end of April - which was Thursday - and those figures are expected later. |
Just over 81,000 tests across the UK took place on Wednesday, but ministers said there was capacity for more. | Just over 81,000 tests across the UK took place on Wednesday, but ministers said there was capacity for more. |
It comes as the PM said the UK was now "past the peak" of the outbreak. | It comes as the PM said the UK was now "past the peak" of the outbreak. |
Mr Jenrick told BBC Breakfast: "I don't have the figures yet, they'll be published later today... but it looks like we'll either meet the target or come close." | Mr Jenrick told BBC Breakfast: "I don't have the figures yet, they'll be published later today... but it looks like we'll either meet the target or come close." |
He added the target was "just a stepping stone" and that the foundations were in place for a strong national testing network. | He added the target was "just a stepping stone" and that the foundations were in place for a strong national testing network. |
The number of people who have died after testing positive for Covid-19 in UK hospitals and the wider community is now 26,771, a rise of 674 on the previous day, the latest figures show. | |
Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said testing needed to be linked with contact tracing, adding that he hoped this would form "an important part" of the government's exit strategy from the lockdown. | Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said testing needed to be linked with contact tracing, adding that he hoped this would form "an important part" of the government's exit strategy from the lockdown. |
Prof Devi Sridhar, an expert in global public health from the University of Edinburgh, said testing needed to be used as part of a contact tracing strategy, which involves identifying people who had been infected and then track down anyone they had been recently in contact with. | |
Anyone who tests positive for the virus can then be told to self-isolate, she added. | Anyone who tests positive for the virus can then be told to self-isolate, she added. |
Prof Sridhar, who is among those advising the Scottish government on its response to the pandemic, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Testing on its own is useful but not really the full package." | Prof Sridhar, who is among those advising the Scottish government on its response to the pandemic, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Testing on its own is useful but not really the full package." |
If the government achieves 100,000 tests it will certainly be a remarkable achievement. Remember at the start of April, 10 times fewer were being carried out. | If the government achieves 100,000 tests it will certainly be a remarkable achievement. Remember at the start of April, 10 times fewer were being carried out. |
A testing network, including three mega labs, more than 40 drive-through centres, a home-testing service and mobile units, have been set up in super quick time. | A testing network, including three mega labs, more than 40 drive-through centres, a home-testing service and mobile units, have been set up in super quick time. |
But there is a fear within the system that the frantic rush to get to the target has come at a cost. | But there is a fear within the system that the frantic rush to get to the target has come at a cost. |
It is noticeable that the extension of eligibility this week to the over-65s and anyone claiming they have to leave home for work this week in England has coincided with a significant increase in tests being carried out. | It is noticeable that the extension of eligibility this week to the over-65s and anyone claiming they have to leave home for work this week in England has coincided with a significant increase in tests being carried out. |
Yet care homes are reporting they are struggling to get access to tests, while NHS workers have found testing slots have sometimes been taken up by the time they try. | Yet care homes are reporting they are struggling to get access to tests, while NHS workers have found testing slots have sometimes been taken up by the time they try. |
Some argue a more planned, considered approach not based on simply hitting a number may have been better. | Some argue a more planned, considered approach not based on simply hitting a number may have been better. |
After all, an efficient testing system coupled with a system to track and trace close contacts of infected individuals is going to be crucial in gradually moving out of lockdown. | After all, an efficient testing system coupled with a system to track and trace close contacts of infected individuals is going to be crucial in gradually moving out of lockdown. |
'Comprehensive plan' | 'Comprehensive plan' |
Speaking at the No 10 briefing for the first time since receiving hospital treatment for Covid-19, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday evening that the government was "massively ramping up" testing, and that the country was now "past the peak of this disease". | Speaking at the No 10 briefing for the first time since receiving hospital treatment for Covid-19, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday evening that the government was "massively ramping up" testing, and that the country was now "past the peak of this disease". |
The PM added he would set out a "comprehensive plan" next week on how to restart the economy, reopen schools and help people travel to work following the coronavirus lockdown. | The PM added he would set out a "comprehensive plan" next week on how to restart the economy, reopen schools and help people travel to work following the coronavirus lockdown. |
Shadow home secretary Mr Thomas-Symonds said Labour hoped the plan would set out the different possibilities for the future so public services could plan ahead. | Shadow home secretary Mr Thomas-Symonds said Labour hoped the plan would set out the different possibilities for the future so public services could plan ahead. |
He added that the party would "scrutinise it extremely carefully" but hoped to be able to support the plan set out by the prime minister. | He added that the party would "scrutinise it extremely carefully" but hoped to be able to support the plan set out by the prime minister. |
Meanwhile, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said any move to ease the lockdown in Wales would be "careful and cautious". | |
"You can open up anything you like - if people don't think it's safe to take up what is now available to them, they won't come," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. | "You can open up anything you like - if people don't think it's safe to take up what is now available to them, they won't come," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. |
In other developments: | In other developments: |
Are you trying to get a test for coronavirus? Have you already been tested? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you trying to get a test for coronavirus? Have you already been tested? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |