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Coronavirus: Are these seven targets being hit? Coronavirus: Are these seven targets being hit?
(3 days later)
The UK government has set various targets during its efforts to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. Have they been met? The UK government has set various targets during its efforts to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
Have they been met?
1. 25,000 tests a day by the middle of April1. 25,000 tests a day by the middle of April
"We will massively scale up our testing capacity in the weeks ahead so we hit 25,000 tests a day" - Prime Minister Boris Johnson, 18 March"We will massively scale up our testing capacity in the weeks ahead so we hit 25,000 tests a day" - Prime Minister Boris Johnson, 18 March
Outcome:Outcome:
On the same day a press release from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) gave more details of the tests to diagnose coronavirus and said "the increased capacity is expected to be ready within four weeks".On the same day a press release from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) gave more details of the tests to diagnose coronavirus and said "the increased capacity is expected to be ready within four weeks".
But the government did not hit 25,000 tests a day by mid-April. Only 15,994 tests were conducted in the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) in the 24 hours to 09:00 on 15 April. But the government did not hit 25,000 tests a day by mid-April. Only 18,665 tests were conducted in the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) on 15 April.
When it comes to testing capacity - the amount of tests which could theoretically be carried out on any one day - that stood at more than 30,000 by mid-April. In terms of testing capacity - the amount of tests which could theoretically be carried out on any one day - that stood at more than 30,000 by mid-April.
2. 100,000 tests a day by the end of April2. 100,000 tests a day by the end of April
"I am now setting the goal of 100,000 tests per day by the end of this month - that is the goal and I am determined that we will get there" - Matt Hancock, 2 April "I am now setting the goal of 100,000 tests per day by the end of this month - that is the goal and I am determined that we will get there" - Health Secretary Matt Hancock, 2 April
Outcome:Outcome:
On 1 May, the government said it had reached the target and announced 122,347 tests for the last day of the month (30 April).On 1 May, the government said it had reached the target and announced 122,347 tests for the last day of the month (30 April).
The testing figure had been averaging around 20,000 a day but recently it has increased significantly. The testing figure had been averaging about 20,000 a day but increased significantly in the last days of April.
It is important to note that when home testing kits became a significant part of the testing strategy last week, the Department of Health began counting those sent out as part of its daily test figures. When home testing kits were introduced in large numbers towards the end of the month, DHSC began counting those sent out as part of its daily test figures.
So, it doesn't mean the test was actually used by someone on that day.So, it doesn't mean the test was actually used by someone on that day.
Previously, only instances in which the testing swab had been processed through a lab were counted as a test.Previously, only instances in which the testing swab had been processed through a lab were counted as a test.
Prof John Newton, who is leading the government's testing programme, said that the 122,347 figure included around 40,000 testing kits, which are counted when they are sent out rather than when they are processed. The 122,347 figure included about 40,000 kits sent out to homes and test centres.
He said: "That's the way they are counted, have always been counted, and the way we were advised to count them by officials." Prof John Newton, who is leading the government's testing programme said: "That's the way they are counted, have always been counted, and the way we were advised to count them by officials."
After counting 105,937 for the following day, the number of tests for 2 May fell to 76,496 - significantly below the government target. So far, in May, the government has met its daily target once and then failed to reach it on successive days.
The devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland also made pledges on coronavirus testing.The devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland also made pledges on coronavirus testing.
But Wales's health minister Vaughan Gething announced they were abandoning their promise of conducting 5,000 tests a day by mid-April, blaming problems obtaining testing kits.But Wales's health minister Vaughan Gething announced they were abandoning their promise of conducting 5,000 tests a day by mid-April, blaming problems obtaining testing kits.
Likewise, Nicola Sturgeon admitted at a press briefing on 23 April that Scotland was unlikely to achieve its original target of 10,000 tests per day by the end of April, saying "we are working towards a capacity of 3,500 by the end of April". Likewise, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon admitted at a press briefing on 23 April that Scotland was unlikely to achieve its original target of 10,000 tests per day by the end of April, saying "we are working towards a capacity of 3,500 by the end of April".
3. Setting up 50 regional testing centres 3. Setting up 50 regional testing centres by the end of April
"We are working with Boots and other partners to set up over 50 regional test centres around the country by the end of April" - Matt Hancock statement, 4 April"We are working with Boots and other partners to set up over 50 regional test centres around the country by the end of April" - Matt Hancock statement, 4 April
Outcome:Outcome:
43 of the 50 regional test centres were operational by 27 April. DHSC told the BBC on 4 May that 49 regional test centres were operational across the country. Mr Hancock had previously said in a statement that there would be "over 50" by the end of April.
The "drive-through" test centres - for NHS and other key workers - are run by Boots and other commercial providers, with one walk-in centre run out of the Nightingale Hospital in London. The "drive-through" test centres are run by Boots and other commercial providers.
A DHSC spokesperson confirmed to the BBC they "expect 50 drive-through sites opened by the end of the month". DHSC also said that 96 mobile testing sites were in service by 4 May.
4. Getting all care home workers the protective equipment they needed by late March 4. Recruiting 18,000 contact tracers by mid-May
"By mid-May, we'll have an initial 18,000 contact tracers in place." - Matt Hancock, 1 May
Outcome:
On 1 May, Mr Hancock said that the government's testing programme is the "first element" in the wider strategy to "test, track and trace". He added that an "initial 18,000" contact tracing staff will be in place "by mid-May".
When contacted by the BBC on 6 May, DHSC said that "recruitment is ongoing" to achieve the 18,000 figure but didn't specify how many staff had been hired so far.
The government's plan is that the 18,000 contact tracers will be made up of 3,000 health workers and 15,000 call handlers.
Their role will be to identify individuals that have Covid-19 and then to "track and trace" anyone they've recently been in contact with, to let them know that they may have contracted the virus. They can then get themselves tested.
5. Getting all care home workers the protective equipment they needed by late March
"On the personal protective equipment, the answer is by the end of this week." - Boris Johnson, 25 March"On the personal protective equipment, the answer is by the end of this week." - Boris Johnson, 25 March
Outcome:Outcome:
On 25 March, Boris Johnson was asked in parliament when "every single person" working in care homes around the country would get the personal protective equipment (PPE) they needed and he replied: "The answer is by the end of this week." On 25 March, Mr Johnson was asked in parliament when "every single person" working in care homes around the country would get the personal protective equipment (PPE) they needed and he replied: "The answer is by the end of this week."
But that didn't appear to happen. In early April, Nadra Ahmed, from the National Care Association, said: "The issue we hear most is: 'I am desperate for masks. Has anyone got any gloves? I am down to my last stock.' Once you run out, it is a question of being down to Marigolds and bin liners."But that didn't appear to happen. In early April, Nadra Ahmed, from the National Care Association, said: "The issue we hear most is: 'I am desperate for masks. Has anyone got any gloves? I am down to my last stock.' Once you run out, it is a question of being down to Marigolds and bin liners."
According to those working in the care home sector, the situation has improved more recently but is yet to be completely resolved. According to those working in the care home sector, the situation improved later in April but was not resolved.
Martin Green, from Care England, said on 20 April that "access to PPE remains problematic" and that care homes still need "a consistent supply".Martin Green, from Care England, said on 20 April that "access to PPE remains problematic" and that care homes still need "a consistent supply".
A DHSC spokesperson said that by 27 April "over 997 million items of PPE" had been delivered "across the health and social care system within England". The cabinet minister Michael Gove said that, by 2 May, "1.08 billion items of PPE" had been delivered "across the health and social care system within England".
However, according to the BBC's Panorama programme, more than half of all the PPE items are surgical gloves - and in most cases, each individual glove is counted rather than pairs.However, according to the BBC's Panorama programme, more than half of all the PPE items are surgical gloves - and in most cases, each individual glove is counted rather than pairs.
Are NHS staff getting enough protective gear?
Concerns about the availability of PPE in care homes have also been raised in Scotland and Wales.Concerns about the availability of PPE in care homes have also been raised in Scotland and Wales.
5. Increasing NHS capacity to meet demand 6. Increasing NHS capacity to meet demand
"Making sure that the NHS always has the capacity to treat patients is also mission critical" - Matt Hancock, 17 April"Making sure that the NHS always has the capacity to treat patients is also mission critical" - Matt Hancock, 17 April
Outcome:Outcome:
The government has met its objective.The government has met its objective.
On 29 April, the Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that there were 3,260 spare critical care beds across the UK. On 4 May, the Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that there were 3,413 spare critical care beds across the UK.
The DHSC said there were 7,199 critical care beds in the UK, not including the thousands of beds available at the temporary Nightingale hospitals.
The spare capacity reflects the falling numbers of patients requiring intensive care treatment for Covid-19.The spare capacity reflects the falling numbers of patients requiring intensive care treatment for Covid-19.
The government insists that nobody in need of critical care has been unable to get it due to a lack of beds or equipment. The government insists that nobody in need of critical care has been unable to get it due to a lack of beds or equipment
6. Providing the NHS with 18,000 ventilators 7. Providing the NHS with 18,000 ventilators
"Our goal, instead of the 30,000, is that we need 18,000 ventilators over the coming two weeks" - Matt Hancock, 5 April"Our goal, instead of the 30,000, is that we need 18,000 ventilators over the coming two weeks" - Matt Hancock, 5 April
Outcome:Outcome:
So far, the government has managed to make 10,900 mechanical ventilators available in the NHS. Matt Hancock's 18,000 target was for this type of ventilator, according to the DHSC. The DHSC told the BBC that, by 5 May, the government had managed to make 10,900 mechanical ventilators available to the NHS across the UK. Mr Hancock's 18,000 target was for this type of ventilator, according to the DHSC.
The original UK target had been higher but was reduced, Mr Hancock said, because the lockdown and social distancing measures were working to slow the spread of the virus.The original UK target had been higher but was reduced, Mr Hancock said, because the lockdown and social distancing measures were working to slow the spread of the virus.
A spokesperson for the DHSC said: "Every patient who needs a ventilator has been able to receive this treatment and we are confident that there will be enough ventilators available for everyone who needs one. We continue to keep capacity ahead of demand."A spokesperson for the DHSC said: "Every patient who needs a ventilator has been able to receive this treatment and we are confident that there will be enough ventilators available for everyone who needs one. We continue to keep capacity ahead of demand."
7. Making £330bn of loans available to businesses This article was updated on 6 May to reflect the latest testing statistics.
"I am making available an initial £330bn of guarantees...that means any business who needs access to cash to pay their rent, the salaries, suppliers, or purchase stock, will be able to access a government-backed loan, on attractive terms" - Chancellor Rishi Sunak, 17 March
Outcome:
As well as support for larger firms, the £330bn scheme offered help to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans Scheme (CBILS).
This involved the government guaranteeing 80% of loans to SMEs up to £5m made by various lenders such as High Street banks, as well as paying the charges and fees for the first year.
UK Finance, which represents the banking industry, said on 30 April that 52,807 applications for loans had been received so far, of which 25,262 had been approved. It said £4.1bn of loans had been guaranteed.
On 27 April, the chancellor introduced a new scheme for small businesses called Bounce Back Loans, which would be 100% guaranteed by the government for loans up to £50,000.
It is designed to be simpler, requiring applicants to fill in a two-page self-certification form online and will come into force on Monday 4 May.
The British Chambers of Commerce welcomed the new scheme and the number of businesses that had been able to access the original loans, but said "a concerningly high number of firms continue to struggle to access this crucial lifeline."
"The UK government and financial institutions should simplify and standardise the CBILS application processes to unlock access for more businesses of all sizes."
A Treasury spokesperson said: "More than 500,000 businesses have so far claimed £4.1bn to pay the wages of furloughed staff - and more than 25,000 applications for our Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme have been approved, worth £4.1bn."
This article was updated on 3 May to reflect the latest testing statistics.
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