All care home residents and social care staff with coronavirus symptoms will be tested for the virus, the government has pledged amid claims elderly victims are being 'airbrushed' from official figures and thousands of residents could already have died.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was 'determined' to ensure everyone needing a test should have access to one. Testing remains a 'key' part of the government’s coronavirus battle plan, he added.
The precise number of deaths in care homes is unclear, but some stark estimates have been made. There have been outbreaks of the virus confirmed in 2,000 care homes nationally.