By Coronavirus testing stations open to millions more people in England
Coronavirus testing stations have now are now open to millions more people in England from today after the government loosened rules on who can apply for appointments.
Expanded eligibility now means care home residents and staff with or without symptoms can request testing.
While people over 65 and anyone who must leave home to go to work can now book a test if they have symptoms.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock previously said that he intends to hit a target of 100,000 tests per day by Thursday.
As of Monday, just over 43,000 had been taking place per day.
The expansion in eligibility beyond just essential workers and hospital patients means 25 million people can now book through the government’s test-booking website.
According to a spokesperson for Downing Street, testing capacity has now increased to 73,400 a day.
The Department of Health promoted available testing appointments at a number of sites across England and Scotland on Wednesday afternoon, suggesting supply was outpacing demand in some areas.
In the Commons on Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s 250,000 tests a day target remained “an aspiration”.
Mr Raab said that, while the goal was still in place, he would not confirm when it would be reached.
Although, both Mr Hancock and the UK Government have repeatedly said it is aiming to perform 100,000 tests a day by Thursday.
Meanwhile, ministers are yet to receive advice from the government’s science advisers on easing lockdown measures, No 10 said.
On Wednesday, data released by the Office for National Statistics showed that a third of all coronavirus deaths in England and Wales are now happening in care homes, based on reporting up to 17 April.
Contact Gi National
Email us: news@gi-media.co.uk
