CV testing team beat 100k target

By Gareth Jones, Associate Partner

Heath Secretary Matt Hancock announced that the UK carried out 122,347 coronavirus tests yesterday, surpassing the 100,000 tests-per-day target he has set for the end of April. Acknowledging that this had been an unprecedented expansion in testing capacity, Hancock thanked all those who had helped deliver this target, including health professional, public and private sector.

Hancock then stated that this achievement was the first element of the government’s ‘test, track and trace approach’ to managing Covid-19. These measures would track who has the virus and who they have been in contact with, which will help drive the infection rate down. Hancock emphasised that reducing the infection rate was the government’s objective and said that these measures are aiming “to get R (the reproduction rate) down, and hold R down” allowing us to release lockdown measures. Hancock said that the restoration of social freedom and economic freedom was the ultimate aim, but stated that we will not lift measures until it is safe to do so.

Aside from testing, Hancock also announced the restoration of other NHS services, including fertility treatment, now we are past the peak in terms of hospital admissions – and acknowledged the importance of fertility treatment is for families affected.

These announcements came as the UK coronavirus fatalities reached 27,510, with 739 in the past 24 hours. This includes deaths in all settings, including hospitals and care homes.