Over 3million coronavirus testing kits have been bought by the UK government in order to get people back to work.
While addressing the nation, Health Secretary Matt Hancock also said a new testing facility in Milton Keynes had opened today.
During his speech, he said the antibody test kits would show whether people have had the virus.
He added: "I understand why NHS staff, in particular, and others across public service are so keen to get the testing ramped up, that we need to see and that we are undertaking.
"Of course it really matters for getting people getting back to work, so we have now bought 3.5 million antibody tests.
"That will allow people to see whether they have had the virus and are immune to it and then can get back to work."
Matt Hancock also announced the creation of a new 4,000 military hospital which will be based at the Excel Centre in London.
The new NHS Nightingale will hopefully aim to reduce the pressure on the NHS caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Mr Hancock added that 11,788 recently retired NHS staff had responded to the government's call to return to the service.
This includes 2,660 doctors, over 2,500 pharmacists and other staff and 6,147 nurses.
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He said: "I pay tribute to each and every one of those who is returning to the NHS at its hour of need.
"We are seeking a quarter of a million volunteers, people in good health to help the NHS, for shopping, for the delivery of medicines and to support those who are shielding to protect their own health."
Around 5,500 final-year medics and 18,700 final-year student nurses would also 'move to the frontline' next week to help combat the coronavirus pandemic.
The news comes after the UK death toll rose by 87 in the last 24 hours to 422.
Over 8,000 people have also tested positive, with regional figures for Herts to be announced later this evening.
Hancock also used the speech as a opportunity to warn that action will be taken on businesses that choose to remain open during the lockdown.
He added: "It is stay at home unless you've got a good reason and we will also enforce those rules.
"If you are in a workplace that we have said will close then we are going to enforce against those closures as well."
