Coronavirus in UK live blog: latest as talk of UK lockdown restrictions being lifted continues

Nest the trio are asked what the goal of test, track and trace is.

Hancock says the goal is to keep the number of infections down and introduce test, track and trace which will be more effective when the rate is lower. 

Goal is not only to flatten the curve but to get he occurrence of Covid-19 infections down to a much lower level.

The trio are taking questions now (Professor John Newton is also present). 

First a question from the public asks how BAME key workers are being protected. 

Hancock says “we recognise that there has been a disproportionately” high rate of deaths among BAME care workers. He pays tribute to them. 

He says a lot of work is going into it to understand it scientifically. 

Jonathan Van-Tam says he's extremely sorry when he hears of the death of a care worker. 

He says they are taking the issue very seriously and they will get to the bottom of this. Says it's a complicated picture because you have to take into account in the age structure between groups, patterns of underlying medical conditions and deprivation.

Professor Newton says it is already clear that impact on BAME groups is already clear. 

He says it is not entirely clear why this is happening. 

On number of new cases Jonathan Van-Tam says that hey need to come down further. 

The deputy CMO says there are consistent declines on number of people in hospital. 

Critical care bed occupation also continues to decline. 

The decline of deaths in all settings are declining slowly but consistently.

Jonathan Van-Tam start by refreshing on the UK's five lockdown exit strategy tests. 

Here's a quick reminder of those five tests

From tonight the contact tracing capability will go live. 

Each one of the 80,000 households will receive comprehensive information of the trial. 

The app conserves power so it won't drain battery. If you become unwell inform the NHS via the app, which will alert other users that you have been in contact with. 

“Please, download the app to protect the NHS and save lives", the Health Secretary says to Isle of Wight residents. 

The app does not mean the end of social distancing measures on the island. 

Matt Hancock is speaking now. 

He is joined by Jonathan Van-Tam.

He starts by saying that he will detail the government's test, track and trace plan. 

He says the government is building a small army of contact tracer snad says that the app has been tested in a closed setting. 

From tomorrow test, track and trace will be trialled on the Isle of Wight. 

Health Secretary Matt Hancock will lead today's daily press briefing. 

It is expected that he will be joined by deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam

The public are waiting in anticipation for the announcemnt of a lockdown exit strategy this week. 

You can read all about when the strategy will be revealed and what it might look like here.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma has confirmed that 601 people have now taken part in the Oxford vaccine trial.

Mr Sharma said: "Last week, thanks to the UK Government's financial support of £20 million the Oxford vaccine entered clinical trials in humans.

"And I can update the House that as of today, 601 people have taken part in that trial."

He added that the Government "continue to talk to Oxford to understand its manufacturing needs".

Business Secretary Alok Sharma has confirmed that 601 people have now taken part in the Oxford vaccine trial.

Mr Sharma said: "Last week, thanks to the UK Government's financial support of £20 million the Oxford vaccine entered clinical trials in humans.

"And I can update the House that as of today, 601 people have taken part in that trial."

He added that the Government "continue to talk to Oxford to understand its manufacturing needs".