Cambridgeshire people urged to keep trying over covid-19 testing appointments

People are being urged to try again and not give up if they are having trouble accessing a COVID-19 test at the location and time they want in Cambridgeshire.

The National Testing Programme, which provides the COVID-19 tests for people with symptoms, is experiencing exceptionally high demand at the moment and as a result people are not always able to book a test at the time and location they wish.

Dr Liz Robin, director of public health for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, is advising people in this situation not to give up, but to wait a few hours and try again.

Booking slots for tests are made available the evening before for morning appointments, and on the morning for afternoon appointments, so trying again will often give people the result they want.

In addition, people are being urged not to book a test unless they have at least one of the symptoms of Coronavirus - a fever, new continuous cough or a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell. And not to go to A&E for a test.

Dr Robin said: “We know it may not always be as easy as the Government would like it to be for people to access a test close to where they live. If you are in that situation, don’t give up, please keep trying.

"If you’ve tried to book a test for coronavirus and you’ve not been able to, or you’ve been offered a location which is too far away, our advice is to wait a few hours and try again.

"If you have symptoms of coronavirus, please don’t give up when trying to book a test - keep trying and continue to self-isolate for the full ten days if you are unable to get a test.

"If you don't have symptoms of coronavirus - a fever, new continuous cough or a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell – and have not specifically been asked to take a test, please don't book one. By doing so, you might be denying someone who genuinely needs it."