The Welsh Government has failed to meet its coronavirus testing target for April.
Vaughan Gething, Minister for Health and Social Care in Wales, had announced a target of 5,000 tests per day by mid-April.
However, the target has now been scrapped with the current number of daily tests averaging around 1,300.
The news comes at a time when people working on the frontline have called for greater access to testing to protect both themselves and patients and clients.
These include care workers, emergency services and those providing essential services within the community.
Plaid Cymru’s health spokesman, Rhun ap Iorwerth, said it was a scandal that the 5,000 tests-a-day target had been dropped.
He said: “Having set ambitious targets early on, we’re now not even seeking to test on the kind of scale that is being targeted elsewhere in these islands.”
Concerns have risen across the UK that the lack of testing outside of hospitals is hiding the true number of deaths related to Covid-19.
As of Tuesday, April 21, 609 people had officially died of coronavirus in Wales.
At the Welsh Government’s daily press briefing on Tuesday, April 21, Mr Gething said external factors, such as the delay of equipment, were to blame for the Welsh Government ditching its target.
He said social distancing measures meant it was not necessary to undertake 5,000 tests every day.
The minister did admit however, that a “significant” testing structure must be in place once the lockdown measures are relaxed.
Hefin David, AM for Caerphilly, told Caerphilly Observer: “One of the most important things we should remember is that the NHS has not been overwhelmed and bed availability and ventilator use is well under capacity.
“Those horror stories about choosing who should and shouldn’t be treated in intensive care were a very real danger two months ago but haven’t come to pass because of the sacrifices we’ve all made.
“I pay tribute to every resident of the Caerphilly constituency who has stayed home other than for necessary journeys. They have enabled our NHS workers to cope as they go about their heroic efforts.
“Regardless of politics, we are one team in our community and I am here for anyone who needs help and support.”
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Source: Public Health Wales
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