Testing system can cope with extra demand from mutant strain, say Northamptonshire health officials

Public Health chiefs say there is plenty of testing capacity in the county — although people may not be sent to their first choice of Northamptonshire's seven sites.

Public Health England figures are showing sharp rises in the number of positive swabs across the county with nearly 5,500 in the last week.

The proportion of tests being confirmed as positive also jumped between Christmas and New Year.

But officials insist the system can cope with any expected extra demand for tests following the identification of a newer, faster-spreading strain of the virus.

A regional testing centre was set up last year in Kettering alongside three fixed sites in Northampton, Wellingborough and Corby.

Three mobile units also are also deployed cover Daventry, East Northants and South Northants.

Northamptonshire's Director of Public admitted that some of the sites are already busier than others.

Lucy Wightman said: "Some of the sites are working up to 80 per cent of capacity.

"We have been given a third mobile testing unit allowing us to focus on areas with the highest prevalence.

"We're also rolling out more lateral flow device testing to public sector workers from January 18 and we are working on plans to get that out to the community to build up capacity over time.

"Overall, as a county, we do still have a reasonable amount of capacity.

"But it may just be at the moment you will be directed to a test centre that's not your nearest."

Tests are strictly by appointment only. Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 — high temperature, any change to your sense of smell or taste, or a new, continuous cough — can book an appointment on the Northamptonshire County Council site HERE or the Government's site HERE

Nearly 4,000 positive tests were identified in Northamptonshire during the seven days up to January 3, according to the Government's daily figures — although that figure has since risen to close on 5,500.

The number of tests carried out over the same period fell from more than 21,300 to under 19,000 yet the percentage of swabs being confirmed positive rose by up to 200 per cent.