Coronavirus: Shortage of Lateral Flow Tests at council collection sites

Residents are urged to pick up their Lateral Flow Tests from pharmacies or order online until a national issue is resolved.

There is currently a shortage of rapid home tests at council collection sites, including community pick-up points, libraries and Shirehall.

The shortfall, which has arisen due to an issue with the national system, is expected to be shortlived, and we are working closely with the Department for Health and Social Care to resolve the issue.

In the meantime, please order your tests online or arrange to collect them at your local pharmacy.

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said:

We apologise for any inconvenience this will cause, however, would like to reassure residents that tests will remain available either through home delivery or from pharmacies. This relates only to a temporary issue with central supplies and testing kits supplied directly to the council which should be resolved soon.

Regular twice weekly testing is one of the main methods we have for controlling further spread of the virus and I urge people to continue with this. Shropshire has a very high level of infection at the moment – this is no different from similar rural counties and reflects the national picture.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind people that basic measures will reduce our level of infection and urge residents to follow previous advice issued. Government guidance states masks should to be worn in enclosed spaces. Hand washing and ventilation of enclosed spaces are also demonstrated to have a positive impact on the level of positive cases.

Click here to order tests online or find out how to arrange collection from a pharmacy here.