Coronavirus: Military Praised As Government Hits Daily Test Target

The Health Secretary has praised the "best of the best" in the British military as he confirmed the Government had met its target of 100,000 coronavirus tests per day.

Matt Hancock announced that 122,347 tests were performed in the 24 hours up to 9am on Friday.

The Lib Dems, however, accused the Government of having decided to "massage the metrics" over the testing target, accusing ministers of playing "fast and loose with the truth".

Acting co-leader Sir Ed Davey said: "The Health Secretary’s arbitrary target of 100,000 tests by the end of April was always a hostage to fortune, and the truth is, he missed it."

Mr Hancock also confirmed 27,510 people had died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for COVID-19 in the UK as of 5pm on Thursday, up by 739 from 26,771 the day before.

A total of 1,500 British military personnel are now involved in carrying out tests for coronavirus - an increase of 350 since Wednesday.

According to the Government, 96 mobile testing units (MTUs) are now operational, with personnel due to be involved with 92 of those by early May.

The mobile facilities, which each have the capacity to test 300 people daily, began to be rolled out by service members last week.

The units, developed by the military, operate out of drive through sites to help access those who living in isolated communities such as care homes.

It is unclear where the mobile units will be located, although it is believed they will be moved depending on need.

Military personnel will man MTUs in areas requiring them and drive to collect swab samples before returning them to a lab for analysis.

Results are returned within 48 hours.

Cover image: A soldier at a Mobile Testing Unit in Kendal (Picture: MOD).