PEOPLE who received a negative test result from a Covid testing site last week are being told to book another test, after concerns were raised they may have been given the wrong result.

Oxfordshire residents, who took a PCR test between October 3 and October 12 at Newbury Showground, are being urged to book another test.

The warning comes after West Berkshire Council said some test results showed a false negative.

The problems related to one specific lab, rather than the site, and have now been fixed.

Other people in the south-west of the country, however, are thought to be affected too.

Health officials are expected to give out more details later today.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Berkshire Council said it had received reports from locals who were concerned about the accuracy of the tests taken at Newbury Showground.

The Covid testing site is operated by the Government.

West Berkshire Council said: “Over the past month, some PCR tests completed at the Newbury Showground testing have had results sent out that may have incorrectly shown as a negative for Covid-19.

“If you took a PCR test between  3 and 12 October which was negative, we strongly recommend a retest for you and for any close contacts.”

It added that it had been told by the government that a number of other ‘sites nationally may have been affected by this issue’.

The statement was released following widespread reports in the South-West of people testing positive with lateral flow tests but then testing negative when they got a PCR test.

Councillor Graham Bridgman, the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: "We are aware there was an issue with some tests undertaken at Newbury Showground earlier this month, which has now been resolved.

"We would urge any residents that are concerned about their results to book another test as soon as possible so we can continue to prevent the spread of the virus across the district.

"Testing continues to remain important as we learn to live with Covid and anyone who has symptoms, or who has been in contact with someone who tests positive, should book a PCR test straightaway.

"We also strongly encourage the public to do twice weekly lateral flow testing. More information on how to access lateral flow tests can be found here:https://info.westberks.gov.uk/article/37815/Community-Testing-in-West-Berkshire-Lateral-Flow-Testing."

 

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