U.K. Seeks to Expand Coronavirus Testing With Mobile Units

(Bloomberg) --

The U.K. is setting up mobile coronavirus testing units to travel to areas of heightened demand and expects to have close to 100 in operation by the start of May, according to a press release.

Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said the units will test essential workers and the most vulnerable:

The mobile units will be operated with the help of the Armed Forces and travel around the U.K. to places such as nursing homes after a successful pilot project last week. Currently there are eight units and the government aims to have 96 in operation by the start of May.

The U.K. government is working toward a target of 100,000 coronavirus tests a day, but has struggled to meet its goals. Earlier this week the government apologized when a new website offering at home virus testing kits ran out of supply within minutes of opening.

“Everyone who needs a coronavirus test should be able to have access to one. New mobile testing units will travel the country to provide vital frontline workers with tests,” James Bethell, who sits in the House of Lords and is leading the government’s testing effort, said in the statement.

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