THE number of daily coronavirus tests fell yesterday below the 100,000 target that the government claimed to have hit by the end of last month.

Last week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed that the pledge to carry out 100,000 tests per day by the end of April had been reached. He announced that 122,347 tests were carried out last Thursday.

But yesterday, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove told the daily Downing Street press conference that there had been 76,496 tests in the previous 24 hours.

He blamed the weekend for the much lower number of tests.

It was revealed on Friday that the government’s website appeared to have changed in the days before the April 30 deadline to include in the total count the number of tests sent to people’s homes and those carried out at drive-through centres.

Labour shadow health minister Justin Madders accused the government of “moving the goalposts.”

During the press conference, Mr Gove praised Mr Hancock’s “amazing success in increasing testing,” adding that the public would have “greater confidence” in the government as the next phase of lockdown begins.

He said it was important to “consult with employers and trade unions” about lifting the restrictions in stages, helping workers understand safety guidance and offering public-sector workers personal protective equipment.

Mr Gove also hinted at the possibility of a public inquiry into the government’s handling of the crisis.

He said that there would come a time when the virus was under control and “deep and probing questions” could be asked, adding: “Undoubtedly this government, like all governments, will have made mistakes.”

A total of 28,446 people had died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus as of 5pm on Saturday, up by 315 from 28,131 the day before, Mr Gove said.