This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52508836

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Coronavirus: Target reached as UK tests pass 100,000 a day Coronavirus: Target reached as UK tests pass 100,000 a day
(30 minutes later)
The UK deployed more than 122,000 coronavirus tests on the last day of April, passing the government's target, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said. The UK provided more than 122,000 coronavirus tests on the last day of April, passing the government's target, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.
Mr Hancock said the target of 100,000 tests per day was an "audacious goal", but testing was necessary "for getting Britain back on her feet".Mr Hancock said the target of 100,000 tests per day was an "audacious goal", but testing was necessary "for getting Britain back on her feet".
The figure includes home test kits counted when they were dispatched, which may not yet have been processed.The figure includes home test kits counted when they were dispatched, which may not yet have been processed.
Mr Hancock set the goal on 2 April, when the UK was on 10,000 tests a day.Mr Hancock set the goal on 2 April, when the UK was on 10,000 tests a day.
The latest figures show 27,510 people have now died in UK hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus, a daily increase of 739.The latest figures show 27,510 people have now died in UK hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus, a daily increase of 739.
At the daily Downing Street briefing, the health secretary suggested the target had had a "galvanising effect" towards increasing testing capacity in the UK. Of the 122,347 tests provided in the 24 hours up to Friday morning, the number of people tested was just over 70,000. This could be is down to some people having to be tested more than once.
He added that the testing capacity built would "help every single person in this country", and stressed that testing would "help us to unlock the lockdown". The total figure includes 27,497 testing kits which were delivered to people's homes, Prof John Newton, a scientist advising the government on testing, said.
A further 12,872 tests were delivered through the government's satellite process - where test kits are sent out to centres such as hospitals and NHS sites.
At the daily Downing Street briefing, the health secretary suggested the 100,000 target had had a "galvanising effect" towards increasing testing capacity in the UK.
He said the testing capacity built would "help every single person in this country", and would "help us to unlock the lockdown".
Mr Hancock said the teams who increased the capacity, had "joined in one of the greatest national mobilisations we've seen".Mr Hancock said the teams who increased the capacity, had "joined in one of the greatest national mobilisations we've seen".
Mr Hancock said 122,347 tests were performed in the 24 hours up to 9am on Friday. The health secretary said the government's "next mission" was the roll-out of its test, track and trace operation.
The Department of Health established a testing network, including three "mega labs" to test samples, almost 50 drive-through centres, a home-testing service and mobile testing units, as part of the drive to achieve the government's target. "By mid-May, we will have an initial 18,000 contact tracers in place," he said.
Carrying out over 122,000 tests in a day is a remarkable feat. Just two days ago, the number of tests carried out was just over 50,000. "That work is under way as we speak and if it needs to be bigger, we will scale it as required.
"The combination of contact tracers and new technology, through our new Covid-19 NHS app, will help tell us where the virus is spreading and help everyone to control new infections."
Mr Hancock added that the next phase would allow the government "to reassert, as much as is safely possible, the liberty of us all".
Providing over 122,000 tests in a day is a remarkable feat. Just two days ago, the number of tests carried out was just over 50,000.
It is testament to the hard work that has been done behind the scenes by a partnership of government, scientists and the private sector - with a helping hand from the military.It is testament to the hard work that has been done behind the scenes by a partnership of government, scientists and the private sector - with a helping hand from the military.
One question remains though. The government has counted home-testing kits sent out. Some, no doubt, will never be returned. One caveat needs to be given though. The government has counted home-testing kits sent out to individuals as well as the satellite kits - these are batches of tests sent out to care homes and other settings where there are lots of people who need testing.
At this point we don't know how many home-testing kits are being counted. There was expected to be around 25,000 a day dispatched at this point. Some, no doubt, will never be returned. Together, they account for around a third of the tests "carried out".
If it is many more than that, people will question how correct the claims of achieving 100,000 tests a day actually are. The Department of Health established a testing network, including three "mega labs" to test samples, almost 50 drive-through centres, a home-testing service and mobile testing units, as part of the drive to achieve the government's target.
Meanwhile, Mr Hancock expanded the list of people eligible for testing throughout the month.Meanwhile, Mr Hancock expanded the list of people eligible for testing throughout the month.
At first, across the UK, the focus was on testing the sickest patients in hospitals, followed by health, care and emergency services staff.At first, across the UK, the focus was on testing the sickest patients in hospitals, followed by health, care and emergency services staff.
As of last week, other essential workers and their families in England became eligible for testing, if they showed symptoms.As of last week, other essential workers and their families in England became eligible for testing, if they showed symptoms.
Testing was further expanded earlier this week to millions more people, with symptoms including over-65s, those who have to leave home to work, and people living with someone in these groups.Testing was further expanded earlier this week to millions more people, with symptoms including over-65s, those who have to leave home to work, and people living with someone in these groups.