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The government testing coordinator insisted that people should not be “stuck on targets” today, arguing that the target of 100,000 checks per day had been reached.
Professor John Newton dismissed a dispute over whether the numbers had been cooked, emphasizing that the big picture was that capacity had increased dramatically and that there would always be disputes when “politicians set goals.”
The Health Secretary stated at the Downing Street news conference last night that 122,000 tests had been performed in the 24 hours at 9 am yesterday, a huge increase of just 10,000 in early April.
But it emerged that around 40,000 of the few had been sent to homes and hospitals, and were not actually processed.
Boris Johnson and other ministers had previously claimed that government figures covered the number of tests “performed” per day.
The dispute came as top Tories officials urge the government to draw a line of discussion about the target and are focused on implementing a South Korean-style contact tracking system.
The coordinator of the government test drive, Professor John Newton (photographed on Downing Street yesterday), told the BBC Radio 4 Today program that the goal had been met “in any way you tell it,” although he did not give figures. on how many tests was actually completed in the 24 hours at 9 am yesterday
A medical worker picks up a swab at a test station in Chessington, Surrey yesterday
Health Secretary Matt Hancock stated at the Downing Street news conference last night that there had been 122,000 tests in the 24 hours at 9 am yesterday, a huge increase from just 10,000 in early April.
Hancock said last night that in mid-May there will be 18,000 contact trackers to track down those who have been close to an infected person and the numbers will be expanded if necessary.
Professor Newton told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that the goal had been met “in any way you count it,” although he did not give figures on how many tests had been completed in the 24 hours.
Professor Newton said: “We don’t want to become too obsessed with goals … what matters is that we have substantial capacity.”
He said: ‘It is a great number as you count it. All tests are only counted once, and you can count them when they go out or when they come back in. Either way, we will still beat the target.
Professor Newton also delivered what appeared to be an excavation to Mr. Hancock, saying that people should not be “hung” on targets.
‘These are the kinds of discussions that get when politicians set goals. What we are focusing on is offering what people need, ” he said.
NHS chief supplier Chris Hopson told Sky News that there had been too much “simple focus on a number for April 30” in the government, saying “the point is missed.”
“What you really need to be sure of is whether everyone who needs an exam can really get one.” he said.
Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said last night: “ The job has repeatedly called for more tests, and increasing the tests is an important milestone.
“But many would have expected the 100,000 promise to be fulfilled by actually testing, not simply because 39,000 kits had been shipped.”
‘The holder’s figure should not count evidence that has not been used, or that in fact could never be used as a complete test. ‘
The UK death toll in hospitals, nursing homes and the broader community reached 27,510 as of 5pm Thursday, an increase from 739 the day before.
Mr. Hancock said last night that the next phase of dealing with Covid-19, which will include more community testing and contact tracing, will allow the government “to reaffirm, as much as possible, the freedom of all of us.”
Hancock said 18,000 contact trackers to track down those who have come in contact with an infected person will be in place in mid-May and the numbers will be expanded if necessary.
The search for South Korean-style contacts will begin on the Isle of Wight next week, as Tory MPs demand that ministers continue with her amid a dispute over ‘setting’ the coronavirus test target.
Crucial tracking systems will be tested for 140,000 residents amid frantic efforts to find ways to control the deadly outbreak that won’t cripple the economy.
People will be bombarded with messages urging them to download an NHS application that collects data on who has been very close. Along with large-scale evidence, it means officials will be able to track down anyone who has been exposed.
Hancock told reporters last night: “In the past few weeks we have had to influence historical liberties to protect our NHS and our loved ones, and yet our goal must be freedom.”
‘Get rid of the virus, yes, and we will not lift the measures until it is safe to do so.
“But we are also concerned with restoring social freedom and economic freedom: the right of every citizen to do what they want.”
But he said that for now, people should stay home while the number of coronavirus cases is further reduced.
Statistics compiled by the Our World in Data website show that the UK is below some countries for tests per 1,000 people, although the figures are not collected by standard worldwide.
Ventnor on the south coast of the Isle of Wight, where a contact tracking scheme is expected to launch next week
But former Brexit secretary David Davis urged Hancock to drop the focus on goals and “move on.”
“They need to locate as many people as possible as soon as possible,” he added. ‘The more you find, the more you will cut the number R. In my opinion, there is no political argument not to.
Davis also expressed concern that the government was overly reliant on the NHS app, noting that 20% of the population had only downloaded similar software in Singapore and instead relied on contact trackers in the ground.
NHS medical director Professor Stephen Powis said authorities will study whether the stricter measures will have to continue to apply to the elderly when the blockade is relieved.
“Those over the age of 70 can be absolutely fit and healthy, it is not the case that all people over the age of 70 have a chronic or underlying disease,” he said.
‘As we look forward … I think it’s a perfectly reasonable question to say how that would work in age groups and age groups.
“Although we know that complications and, sadly, deaths are more common in the elderly, even without complications, I think that is a consideration and it is work that we will have to do as we go along.”
