Advertisement

UK reaches daily coronavirus testing capacity target of 200,000

Samples are taken at a coronavirus testing facility in Temple Green Park and Ride, Leeds, as NHS Test and Trace is rolled out across England: Danny Lawson/PA Wire/PA Images
Samples are taken at a coronavirus testing facility in Temple Green Park and Ride, Leeds, as NHS Test and Trace is rolled out across England: Danny Lawson/PA Wire/PA Images

The UK can now test more than 200,000 people for coronavirus per day, the Government has said.

A total of 205,634 tests were available on Sunday, meaning the Government met its daily coronavirus testing capacity target of 200,000 a day early.

But just over 115,000 tests were carried out in the 24 hours to 9am on Sunday.

Boris Johnson originally set a target of 200,000 tests to be carried out each day by the end of May. Officials said later that the target referred to capacity.

Samples are taken at a coronavirus testing facility in Temple Green Park and Ride, Leeds, as NHS Test and Trace - seen as key to easing the lockdown restrictions - is rolled out across England. (Danny Lawson/PA Wire/PA Images)
Samples are taken at a coronavirus testing facility in Temple Green Park and Ride, Leeds, as NHS Test and Trace - seen as key to easing the lockdown restrictions - is rolled out across England. (Danny Lawson/PA Wire/PA Images)

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Reaching our 200,000 capacity target is an important milestone on our journey to control the spread of the virus, save lives and gradually ease lockdown.

“By rapidly expanding our testing capacity, we have been able to introduce NHS Test and Trace, and enabling those who have coronavirus symptoms to get a test is an important part of the programme.

“I want to thank and pay tribute to the incredible team who joined together in one of the greatest national mobilisations that we’ve seen.

“We brought together the best minds in the civil service, NHS, PHE, universities and the scientific community, the armed forces and private sector companies across the globe to reach this incredible achievement.”

Testers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) at a drive through coronavirus testing site in north London (PA)
Testers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) at a drive through coronavirus testing site in north London (PA)

The news comes after the UK reintroduced its coronavirus contact tracing initiative on Thursday, after originally dropping the scheme on March 12.

And national testing coordinator Professor John Newton added: “The expansion of our testing capacity has allowed us to take important steps to control the virus, including the introduction of a world-class contact tracing service that will help us to safely ease lockdown over time.

“I am proud to say that anyone in the country who needs a test can get one, regardless of where in the country they are.

“We will continue to develop and grow our testing capabilities, to learn more about transmission of the virus and how it has previously spread.”