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UK hits passes five million tests according to the transport secretary Grant Shapps


By Scott Maclennan

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The UK has passed the five million mark of tests that were either carried out or posted out according to transport secretary Grant Shapps at the daily Downing Street briefing which showed ongoing improvement now manifested across a number of areas.

Mr Shapps also claimed that a new day record for the number of tests either issued through the post or carried out at testing sites had hit a new record with more than 220,000 carried out.

And in a major change that will impact those on public transport, he announced that in England the wearing of face coverings would now be obligatory from June 15, warning that people could be refused travel if they do conform to the guidance.

He also revealed that more people were cycling than and welcomed the public’s response to government calls to reduce inessential travel as much as possible.

Mr Shapps said: “Data on the use of different types of transport shows significant falls in the use of public transport rail, buses, the tube in London and even before the lockdown was introduced March 23.

“This is welcome. It shows the public has responded positively to our request to avoid public transport as far as possible, the use of motor vehicles fell substantially initially and the since risen steadily though not back to the level seen in mid-March.

“This is what we would expect as we have introduced some easing of the lockdown and encourage people to return to work. One form of transport which has seen a significant increase is cycling – it is great to people switching to a clean, green mode of transport with significant public health benefits.

“The number of tests carried out or posted out in the UK has passed the five million mark for the first time, that 5,005,565 and this includes a record 220057 tests carried out or posted out yesterday – a new high total.

“And 281,661 people have tested positive, that is an increase of 1805 cases since yesterday – the graph shows a steadily falling number of cases on a seven rolling average despite that increase in testing.

“There are now 7312 people in hospital with coronavirus in the UK, down 15 per cent from 8558 a week ago and down from a peak of 20699 on April 12. So while there is some variation most nations and regions in the UK are broadly following a similar pattern.

“Those who sadly lost their lives after testing positive for coronavirus in all settings now stands at 39,904 – that is an increase in 176 fatalities since yesterday and that is the lowest working weekday of level of fatalities.

“When measured by a seven day rolling average, the daily number of deaths currently stands at 241 down from a peak of 943 on April 14.”


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