LONDON 24 Apr (ANA) - Up to 10 million key workers and their households can now book a coronavirus test online or through their employer. 

The move allows all essential workers in England to register for tests on the government's website, if they or a family member have virus symptoms.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the expanded testing programme was "part of getting Britain back on her feet". 

The government remains some way short of its target of 100,000 tests a day in England by the end of this month. 

Thursday's figures showed 23,560 tests were carried out, though Mr Hancock said capacity had now increased to 51,000 per day.

The data also showed a further 616 people died with the virus in UK hospitals, bringing the total number of deaths to 18,738.

The health secretary announced the new testing arrangements at Thursday's Downing Street coronavirus briefing, along with a commitment to recruit 18,000 people to trace contacts of those infected.

Those who can now register for a test include NHS and social care workers, police officers, teachers, those in the justice system, supermarket and food production workers, journalists and transport workers.

Previously, a smaller group of key workers - those whose work is deemed critical to the Covid-19 response - were eligible for testing. 

The aim is to allow essential staff to safely return to work.(ANA)

FA/ANA/24 April 2020-------