Banner Default Image
Banner Mobile Image
Back-to-blogs

Day 73: Key points from today's conference

Posted on May 2020 By Aaron Liffen

Blog Img

Today's government coronavirus conference was for the second day in a row led by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, alongside Jonathan Van Tam, deputy chief medical officer for England & Dido Harding, who heads up the UK’s test and trace programme. Today's briefing follows on from the Commons Liaison Committee.

Key points to take away from today's speech are:

  • He announces 37,460 people in the UK have now died with coronavirus - an increase of 412 deaths since yesterday.

  • Mr Hancock says the NHS test and trace scheme, to begin in England tomorrow, will allow the government to replace the nationwide lockdown with more targeted action.

  • Mr Hancock announces a further expansion of coronavirus testing, with under-5s now eligible. Meaning all who are symptomatic with coronavirus are now eligible for tests.

  • Mr Hancock reiterates that it is people's "civic duty" to isolate themselves if they are contacted by an NHS contact-tracer from 9am tomorrow.

  • Baroness Dido Harding, who is leading the test and trace scheme, is now setting out how it will work, as she displays the below graphic:


  • Jonathan Van Tam takes us through the latest figures:



To read a brief summary of last night's points and important measures click here.