Matt Hancock is leading today’s daily coronavirus press briefing
The health secretary starts today’s press briefing by saying that the government’s main priority is saving lives and protecting the NHS.
583,496 tests have now been carried out – including 23,560 tests yesterday. 138,078 people have tested positive – an increase of 4,583 cases since yesterday.
17,615 people are currently in hospital and sadly 18,738 have now died – an increase of 616 from yesterday.
He says the daily deaths figure is “lower than it has been in previous days” each person “will not be forgotten and their stories will live on”.
All essential workers and households to be able to book tests from tomorrow
Test capacity has increased from 40,000 to 51,000 – meaning the group of people who are eligible will be widened, the health secretary explains.
Any essential worker who needs a test will get a test – their employers will be able to go on gov.uk to get a test for any of their staff who need one. From tomorrow, any essential workers who need a test will be able to book a test on gov.uk themselves directly.
This applies for people in essential workers’ households too.
Those included as essential workers will be based on the same list as schools and education – and the whole process will be free.
Virus infection study invitations to arrive by post across the UK
25,000 people will be invited to take part in a new infection study to help fight the coronavirus, with plans to expand to 300,000 and asked to provide regular samples.
Letters will be arriving to “take part in this vital research for your country” on doormats across the UK, Hancock says.
“If you get a letter please respond to it as soon as you can,” he urges.
Hancock: UK-wide end to lockdown is the “best way to go”
the Scottish government published a document earlier outlining its thinking on the matter – although without specifying dates.
Hancock says, though, that the Scottish government’s approach is “based” on the UK government’s five tests for when measures should be lifted, and both administrations have taken “similar” approach.
He adds that a UK-wide approach to easing the restrictions is the “best way to go”.
More to come shortly…
