THE UK Government has hit its target to carry out 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of April.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said 122,347 tests were performed in the 24 hours up to 9am.
However, the true number of people tested was just 73,191. And the UK Government's own figures show almost 39,000 of the tests were posted out to people but were yet to be processed.
Hancock said: “I knew that it was an audacious goal, but we needed an audacious goal, because testing is so important for getting Britain back on her feet.
“I can announce that we have met our goal. The number of tests yesterday, on the last day of April, was 122,347.
“This unprecedented expansion in British testing capability is an incredible achievement, but it is not my achievement, it is a national achievement.”
It comes as the Health Service Journal said the Department of Health and Social Care is now including tests that have been posted or delivered to people’s homes in its figures.
READ MORE: This is how Westminster changed rules to hit 100,000 tests target
This means tests which are sent to people are counted before the recipient has provided and returned their sample to a laboratory.
When asked about the HSJ report at the daily Downing Street briefing, Hancock passed the question onto Professor John Newton.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel