Covid-19 testing vans in North Somerset have completely run out of lateral flow tests as cases soar across the area.
Two mobile vans were specially adapted to offer rapid testing to people, but they have run out of stock and are now waiting for a delivery from the government.
Lateral flow tests show if someone has COVID-19 within 30 minutes of taking a test, and can help to stop the virus spreading.
READ MORE: Supplies of lateral flow tests 'patchy' at Bristol pharmacies
But there has been a national shortage, as there has been a surge in demand for them amid the spread of the Omicron variant.
And when Bristol Live did a spot-check of 30 pharmacies in and around the city on December 29, of those who answered our phone calls, only three said they had tests in stock.
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The mobile testing vans in North Somerset had limited stock before they ran out, which meant that each household was limited to one box of tests.
And in a Facebook post yesterday, the council said: "There’s high demand for rapid (lateral flow) tests at the moment and unfortunately our mobile vans are out of stock. We're waiting on a delivery from government and confirmation of when that will be.
"We'll let you know when we've got more stock and publish the timetable for where the vans will be."
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The two vans typically have different schedules - one runs a weekly timetable, while the second moves around North Somerset to visit as many areas as possible between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and from 10am-5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
You can currently order lateral flows to your home from the government's website, although they have occasionally been out of stock.
And there are currently PCR tests available in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, which offer a more accurate test result but are mainly reserved for people with symptoms of Covid-19.
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