Over the last few days many Islanders have not been able to book a Covid-19 PCR test, order a PCR home test or delivery of Lateral Flow Tests (LFT).
Several News OnTheWight readers have been in touch to say they or their loved ones have symptoms of Covid-19, but have not been able to confirm it due to lack of appointments at the Newport testing centre or book home delivery PCR tests.
Cllr Karl Love, the cabinet member for adult social care and public health, told News OnTheWight,
“I’d like to reassure the people of our Island that we are working with National supply chains for LFTs and PCR kits, to ensure that the current short fall of these items is quickly addressed.”
No tests available
When News OnTheWight tried to book a PCR test, we were met with the following screens on the Government Website.
Love: “Do not stockpile”
Concerned about some residents stockpiling the LFTs, Cllr Love went on to say,
“It’s really important that people do not stockpile them as we are expecting further supplies in the New Year. It’s also important that our pharmacists are not overwhelmed when these items come into stock and that you only collect what you require.
“Please do not stockpile them.”
Love: “Do not swamp pharmacists”
The cabinet member responsible for public health went on to explain that the best way Islanders can to protect themselves and their loved ones is to reduce social contact with other people, wherever possible. He advises residents to continue to wear masks, wash hands and keep your own personal space safe.
Cllr Love added,
“Some pharmacists are reporting that their supplies are quickly consumed because of the ‘grapevine’ cascade effect when new supplies arrive. You can go online and order a kit.
“Please do not swamp the pharmacists should you hear of a supply in another part of the Island. It only exacerbates the problem and whilst we want everybody who needs these kits to have access to them, please don’t stockpile them because there are more kits on the way soon.”
Bryant: Omicron could generate many more hospitalisations
Simon Bryant, director of Public Health for the Isle of Wight, said,
“Whilst estimates of the current Omicron data have not been published due to the holidays, we know that the Omicron variant is rapidly spreading across the country and that it could generate many more hospitalisations.
“Importantly, we know that that all the evidence so far points to boosters providing greatly improved levels of protection against infection and serious disease from Omicron. It’s vital that you get your booster. Details of clinics on the Island can be found on the Website .”
Love: Minimise hugs and kisses
Cllr Love finished by saying,
“I have been in contact with our public health team and council offices who are working with NHS colleagues. We will keep you informed of our progress and I ask you to take as much care and control over your environment as you possibly can during the festive New Year.
“Might I suggest that festive hugs and kisses be minimised and you party safely at home with your close families.
“The most important thing of all is that people get vaccinated and boosted, which has saved many lives and helps people to avoid hospitalisation.
“I’d like to wish you all a very happy New Year, keep safe and be happy.”
How to book a test
To book a PCR home test or appointment at the testing centre in Newport, or to order a LFT for delivery or to pick up from a pharmacy (ordering will provide you with a code to do this) visit the official Website, where you’ll find links to the variety of methods.
Bryant: Keep checking the Website
Simon Bryant added,
“The best advice is to plan ahead and keep checking the Government Website for lateral flow tests when you have no symptoms. If you have symptoms, check the Website for available PCR test kits.
“The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed If you haven’t been able to get the test you need, please keep checking checking the Website every few hours as more PCR and LFD tests become available every day.
“UKHSA has also confirmed they will be increasing delivery of Lateral Flow Tests to pharmacies across the country, with more kits being delivered in the next few days, in addition to expanding capacity for booking PCR test slots online.”
KEY Information FROM UK Health Security Agency
- We thank the public for doing the right thing by getting tested. If you have COVID-19 symptoms you should book a PCR test.
- Those who are symptomatic should go to the website or call 119 to book an appointment or order a home test kit.
- During periods of exceptional demand there may be temporary pauses in ordering or receiving tests, to ensure we manage distribution across the system and support changing requirements for LFD and PCR tests. Reduced postal schedules also impact on delivery capacity over the Christmas period.
- If you are symptomatic, you should stay at home while you are waiting for a home test kit or a test site appointment. If you need to leave your home to get to a test site, wear a face covering, stay at least 2 metres apart from other people who you do not live with, and return home immediately afterwards.
- When there is exceptionally high demand for home testing we temporarily pause the booking portal to control the flow of tests into our laboratories and maintain maximum operational capacity.
- We have already added winter surge capacity to our laboratory network and continue to expand processing capability within our existing laboratories to meet demand.
- Those who live or work in vulnerable settings, including in Adult Social Care, have access to dedicated testing order routes. Between 15 and 21 December, each day we distributed an average of nearly 240k PCR tests and almost 500k LFD tests to care settings across the UK.
Article edit
`12.10pm 30th Dec 2021 – Extra comment from SB added
