Northampton residents should NOT get coronavirus test unless they have symptoms due to the current shortage

Northampton residents should no longer get a coronavirus test unless they have symptoms due to the current shortage in national laboratory capacity.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock blamed the issues with Covid-19 tests on people getting checked without having a fever, persistent cough or loss of taste or smell.

In July, when Northampton was first deemed an 'area of concern' by Public Health England over its high infection rate and tests were more available, Northamptonshire County Council urged residents to get a test if they were worried about their potential exposure to the virus, even without symptoms.

A council spokesperson said: "Over the last two months, some areas of the county have been on the government watch list.

"One of the measures that we employed to find more positive cases and reduce the spread of the virus locally was to expand testing to those who had concerns about having had contact with someone who had tested positive for coronavirus, which sometimes included those who were asymptomatic.

"During that time, there was capacity in the system and appropriate resource within the county to accommodate this.

"In view of the announcement this week about reduced national lab testing capacity, we have amended our guidance to ask that only those who are symptomatic get tested, and ask that tests are booked in advance.”

On Wednesday (September 9), the prime minister was asked in the House of Commons why people were being told to go hundreds of miles for a test by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Mr Johnson replied: "The issue at the moment is that there has been a massive increase in the number of people who need or want tests, particularly people who do not have symptoms.

"We need, I hope the right hon. and learned Gentleman agrees, to prioritise people such as NHS front-line staff and our care workers who urgently need those tests.

"As we massively increase the number of tests, it is those groups who are getting priority."

While the health secretary said there has been a 25 per cent increase in people getting tested without have symptoms which is causing issues for the system, despite having the most capacity than ever before.

Mr Hancock said: "I've even heard stories of people saying, 'I'm going on holiday next week, therefore I'm going to get a test'. No - that is not what the testing system is there for.

"We've got to be firmer, I'm afraid, with the rules around eligibility for testing."

The pair have come under fire for blaming people who were just following the advice, like in Northampton, from opposition parties.

Tests are still available at the walk-in centres in the town as the area has been prioritised because of its high infection rate but people must booking in advance by calling 119.