Thursday evening news briefing: 100,000 to be tested for coronavirus daily by April, says Matt Hancock

Plan to tackle testing unveiled as Hancock says: 'I get it'

Britain will test 100,000 people a day by the end of April, the Health Secretary has said, as the Government tries to get a grip on low testing numbers undermining its coronavirus fightback. Matt Hancock said he returned from illness "more determined than ever" as he took this evening's Downing Street press conference on the day he came out of self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19. He outlined a five-point plan to get the UK's coronavirus response back on track. Follow the latest here. Earlier, Downing Street distanced itself from comments made by health minister Nadine Dorries after she said testing is "not a cure". It comes as a leading epidemiologist suggests lockdown could be ended and up to 10 million people a day tested for Covid-19 if every laboratory in the country joined the effort. Here is Helen Quinn's exclusive report. Global Health Security Editor Paul Nuki analyses why mass testing must be our No 1 priority - and why we lag behind the rest of the world. And Dominic Gilbert reveals how many people are being tested in the UK.

Today's update from the Department of Health revealed another 569 people have died from coronavirus in the UK, bringing the national total to a grim 2,921. Despite the growing figures, the number of people leaving the house has risen in recent days according to the latest polling which also shows the number of people self-isolating has dropped. Downing Street refused to rule out tightening lockdown measures after official figures revealed traffic had risen for the first time in two weeks. Here is a reminder of the rules about social distancing and self-isolation.

PS - News you can trust is more important than ever. Stay informed with our liveblog, daily Global Health Bulletin, WhatsApp group, coronavirus podcast and index page with all our articles. We have a special offer when you take out a new Telegraph subscription that allows you to access all our newspaper and online articles without leaving home. Sign up for a free one-month trial - then save 50pc on your first three months.

'People are dying left and right' say New York doctors

New York City is the epicentre of the coronairus outbreak in America, with 45,707 infections, 1,374 deaths and 9,775 people hospitalised. Medics are braced for much worse to come and fear that a lack of staff and equipment will badly hamper their ability to treat the large numbers of new patients they anticipate. This piece by a doctor in an ER department is a must-read. Another reveals how "people are dying left and right". Click here to read what 10 healthcare workers told The Telegraph about the grim reality. Meanwhile, the number of Americans who claimed unemployment benefits more than doubled to a new record of 6.6m last week as Covid-19 wreaked havoc upon US businesses. The number of people filing initial jobless claims surged from 3.3m the previous week. Before then, the highest level recorded was 695,000. Read on for more.

Eddie Large dies after contracting coronavirus

Comedian Eddie Large has died at the age of 78 after contracting coronavirus while being treated in hospital for heart failure. The Little And Large star was best known for his long-running comedy partnership with Syd Little. His son Ryan McGinnis revealed on Facebook he died after contracting coronavirus in hospital, having been battling heart failure. A host of celebrities have paid tribute, including Ant and Dec and Frank Bruno. The Little and Large Show was "appointment television" for its fans in the 1980s. Read his Telegraph obituary here. And here is a rundown of other high-profile figures hit by Covid-19.

At a glance: More coronavirus headlines

• 'Coronabonds' row | Eurozone thrown into fresh crisis over debt plan

• Open Championship | Organisers considering postponement

• Alien spaceships? | Virus blamed for record number of UFO sightings

• Clap For Our Carers | What time is the NHS applause tonight?

• Coronavirus positive | Good news round-up - deer on our doorsteps

Comment and analysis

• Alastair Campbell | PM must get grip on communications meltdown

• Sherelle Jacobs | UK traded individual liberty for state omnishambles

• Matthew Lesh | Bureaucracy cannot get in the way of saving lives

• Tom Harris | We suffer if parliamentary debate becomes virus victim

• Robin Pagnamenta | Covid-19 could succeed where HS2 is set to fail

You Are Not Alone - Surviving coronavirus lockdown

1. Private coronavirus tests | Can I get one in the UK, and how much would it cost?

2. Deliveries to your door | Wholesale food suppliers now sending parcels to you

3. From anger to guilt | The six stages of missing your cleaner

Business and money briefing

New emergency measures | Borrowers plunged into financial chaos by the coronavirus pandemic will get their credit card and loan payments frozen for three months under new measures proposed by the City watchdog. Interest rates on arranged overdrafts of up to £500 will also be cut to zero under the plans. Read on for details.

• IFS warning | Self-employed rescue package 'gives too much to some'

• Diary of a fund manager | 'Five things I did as markets were falling'

• On top of markets | Live stocks and shares updates 24 hours a day

Video: Police surprise birthday boy with siren blasting

A boy celebrating his birthday stuck inside his home amid the Covid-19 lockdown got a day to remember when his local police force turned up to surprise him. Watch what happened when officers arrived to speak to seven-year-old Frankie from Barrow with their sirens blasting.

Also in the news today

Toddler trouble | A two-year-old has been summoned by the courts for failing to pay council tax for two properties. Benjamin Lee, from Castle Bromwich, was sent letters saying he owed up to £1,000 to Solihull Council. The toddler was warned failure to pay could result in a court hearing and possible imprisonment. Read what happened next.

• Child sex abuse | New claims against convicted senior Catholic official

• Mushroom magic | Psychedelics 'should be used to treat depression'

• North Korea | Student accused of spying for taking picture of toy tank

• England rugby | Eddie Jones agrees two-year contract extension

• Eco-jeans and vintage gowns | Meghan's style decisions in California

World news: One story you must read

'Shoot dead' lockdown violators | Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has told security forces they should shoot dead anyone causing "trouble" in areas locked down due to the coronavirus pandemic. About half the country's roughly 110 million people are currently under quarantine - including millions in deep poverty. Read on for details.

Tonight's TV

How to Make: The Trainer, BBC Four, 8pm | In this absorbing new series, materials engineer Zoe Laughlin deconstructs everyday items - and then designs and re-creates her own bespoke versions to reveal the science that governs their making. Read on for more.

And finally...

War on war paintings | Blitz paintings commissioned by wartime officials were forbidden from being "too grim" and censors insisted on a "stiff upper lip", new research has revealed. The War Artists' Advisory Committee commissioned almost 6,000 works depicting British life in the shadow of German bombers. Read on for more.