Matt Hancock is leading today’s daily coronavirus press conference
Matt Hancock says he wants to give details of the government’s “test, track and trace” strategy to keep the rate of transmission of COVID-19 down.
Before that, he provides the latest testing figures.
In the 24 hours up to 9am on Monday there were 85,186 tests for COVID-19, and a total of 1,291,591 tests.
Matt Hancock says a total of 28,734 people have now died after contracting COVID-19 in all settings, a rise of 288.
Matt Hancock says the UK’s testing capacity is now at 108,000
Isle of Wight pilot contact tracing app
Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the UK is now in a position to carry out a “test, track and trace” programme to identify and track those with symptoms, adding that a trial of the scheme will start on the Isle of Wight on Tuesday.
An NHS app used in the scheme is already being trialled on the island. Hancock says all residents will be asked to download it.
“Where the Isle of Wight goes, Britain will follow.”
“This trial does not mean the end of social distancing on the Isle of Wight, or anywhere else for that matter,” Matt Hancock says.
He ends by saying the message to those living on the Isle of Wight is: “Stay at home, install the app, protect the NHS and save lives.”
Professor Jonathan Van Tam, deputy chief medical officer for England, says there is a “slow but consistent decline” in deaths in all settings from COVID-19.
‘Very clear’ that UK is ‘past the peak’
“It is now very clear in the data that we are past the peak.”
England deputy CMO Jonathan Van-Tam provides an update to the five conditions in place for deciding when the government imposed lockdown will be lifted.
Mandatory child vaccination ‘not ruled out’
Matt Hancock is asked whether vaccination against the virus could be compulsory for children when a vaccine is available.
He says he does not “rule anything out” – but says ministers are anticipating “enormous demand” for vaccination anyway.
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam says it is “more likely than not” that the first vaccines will be licensed for use by adults.
Van-Tam points out that data shows children are less vulnerable to the virus, saying this will have to be borne in mind.
