Welsh government pushing for more coronavirus testing

The Welsh Health Minister, Vaughan Gething said Wales are planning to push for more coronavirus testing, which will allow critical workers to return to work more quickly.

Gething said, “We are increasing our capacity for testing in Wales through our community testing units, the introduction of regional drive-in testing centres and, within weeks, an online home testing service.

“As the daily number of tests have not been matching the capacity we’ve built up in Wales, I ordered a rapid review of the current system.

“I want to see a rapid increase in testing of critical workers across Wales so they can return to work more quickly and have the confidence to carry out their work safely.

“Their contribution to stop the spread of coronavirus and keeping us all safe is invaluable.”

Also, under government proposals UK schools could reopen as early as the 11 May to ease the coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

It has been reported that the Prime Minister is looking to end the lockdown in three stages, the first step is to reopen schools, with reduced class sizes and lessons to take place on certain days.

When Boris Johnson returns back to Downing Street it is expected he will provide three possible dates, 11 May, 1 June and the start of September.

The Department of Health have announced on Sunday that 596 people have died from coronavirus in hospitals across the UK, as of 5pm Saturday.

The total number of coronavirus deaths across the UK now stands at 16,060 and 120,067 people have tested positive for the virus.

England has 14,400 deaths, Scotland 903, Wales 475 and Northern Ireland had a total of 194.

The Health Secretary Matt Hancock is facing an urgent emergency within the NHS as the much-needed shipment of life saving vital equipment is now delayed.