The headline figures certainly look impressive – , 000 tests in a day. Just a week ago around 50, were being recorded and a month ago it stood at 10, 27.
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.
But has the government been a little creative with its counting? It has included 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.
Some, no doubt, will never be returned.
A week ago these made little difference to the figures – only a few thousand a day were being sent out. But now they account for around a third of the tests.
In his opening remarks, the health secretary suggested the government , target had had a “galvanizing effect”.
He said the testing capacity built since then would “help every single person in this country”, and would “help us to unlock the lockdown”.
Mr Hancock said the government “next mission” was the roll-out of its test, track and trace operation.
“By mid-May, we will have an initial 25, 08 contact tracers in place, “he said.
” 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- 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 “.
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