Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced all key NHS and social care workers will be able to get tested for the covid-19 virus in a bid to keep them on the frontline.
In a press conference on Friday, April 10, the Government said it now has the "capacity" to test vital key workers working to save lives on hospitals across the UK.
"I can announce today that we have capacity for all key social care staff and NHS staff who need to be tested to get those tests," Mr Hancock told the briefing.
It comes as a record number of people died after testing positive for the virus, with the number of fatalities soaring by 980 in the past 24 hours.
Pioneering drive-through testing facilities had been popping up across the country, including one at Boots' headquarters, which is situated off Thane Road on the border of Lenton and Beeston.
It has been operational for a number of weeks and NHS employees are informed by their employer if they are eligible for a test.
Mr Hancock further announced that to meet testing demand, two more "lighthouse mega-labs" were on track in both Cheshire and Glasgow, while a third was opened in Milton Keynes on Thursday, April 9.
Pharmacy giants AstraZeneca and GSK were also opening another testing facility in Cambridge.
After the Government was hit with criticism for a lack of personal protection equipment (PPE), Mr Hancock also stated the UK was creating a domestic PPE manufacturing industry using existing businesses' production lines.
These include Prime Group, a Nottinghamshire printing specialist, which is now working to produce protective visors for the NHS.
Mr Hancock added: "Many businesses have generously come forward to turn over production lines as part of this national effort.
"In particular, I want to thank Burberry with their offers of gowns, Rolls Royce and McLaren who are creating visors.
"We are talking to many others and we want more to step up to the plate.
"So if you have production facilities and you can meet our published technical specifications, we want to hear from you, so we can make this kit here in Britain."
