CORONAVIRUS: Government hits 100,000 testing target

With the lockdown review date coming up on May 7th, the government need to ensure each of the five tests are met, in order to consider the best strategy regarding social distancing measures. One of these rules is the increase in testing, with the government aiming for 100,000 tests per day.

During the Downing Street briefing, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that the testing target had been met, with a total of 122,347 test carried out yesterday, 30th

April. The test includes a swab being inserted into the nose and another into the throat.

A total of 177,457 people have tested positive for Coronavirus, with 27,510 people dying from the virus. Another 739 deaths have been reported today.

These figures have been released two days after a senior minister admitted it was unlikely the government would reach the 100,000 testing target. The number of tests have risen significantly with 52,000 tests being carried out on Tuesday 28th April.

Prof Newton says the infection rate must be right down before they can consider relaxing social distancing measures. The other rules include; sufficient capacity within the NHS, a consistent fall in daily deaths, PPE and testing to meet future demand, and confidence that the UK won’t experience a second peak which could overwhelm the NHS.

This news comes days after Boris Johnson’s return, after spending a week in hospital with the virus and the birth of his new baby. Boris Johnson has said the government need to be confident there won’t be a second peak of he virus before they consider lifting the current lockdown guidelines.