Access to Covid-19 tests has been beset by problems for a second day running as the availability of lab-processed kits and rapid tests were hit by intermittent shortages, with Downing Street drafting in Amazon to clear delivery hold-ups.
Slots for PCR tests – processed in laboratories – at walk-in or drive-through sites in some parts of England for people with coronavirus symptoms were unavailable and briefly there were none available in any part of the country.
The booking website was later updated to show slots available in every region, although there were still none available in some counties.
Home delivery PCR kits were available, the website said, but for the second day running, rapid lateral flow test kits only intermittently unavailable online. These could still be collected from pharmacies and other in-person sites, although there were reports of shortages at some pharmacies.
Downing Street said ministers were working with Royal Mail and Amazon to ensure more of the lateral flow tests could be delivered.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “We are increasing the capacity, Royal Mail are freeing up additional delivery slots to become available in the next few days and we’re working with a range of businesses including Amazon to further expand capacity.”
He said 2.6m lateral flows tests were dispatched between 8pm on Saturday and 8pm on Sunday, compared with 584,000 on 13 November.
The spokesman insisted there was significant testing capacity despite suggestions of difficulties finding PCR tests.
“In terms of PCR availability, I don’t have the latest but I would envisage further booking possibilities will come online later and, of course, there are in-person opportunities as well,” he said.
On Tuesday, new guidance came into force in England for the testing of coronavirus close contacts. Double-jabbed people are being asked to take a lateral flow test every day for seven days if they come into contact with someone with Covid.
A UK Health Security Agency spokesperson said: “There is no shortage of lateral flow tests. More tests should become available for home delivery every few hours.
“We are issuing record numbers of rapid test kits to people’s homes across the country, with 1.6m tests – 230,000 boxes – distributed just yesterday. We are urgently working to further expand our delivery capacity so more people can order tests.
“Everyone who needs a lateral flow test can also collect them at their local pharmacy, some community sites and some schools and colleges.”
On PCR tests, the agency said: “Appointments for PCR tests are available, but high demand can lead to temporary reduced availability in some areas. More appointments are made available to book every afternoon.”
The health secretary, Sajid Javid, said on Monday limits on ordering tests were linked to delivery capacity, and said new arrangements had been reached with Amazon and others.
But his Labourcounterpart, Wes Streeting, described Covid testing as a “shambles”.
The shadow health secretary said an increase in demand should have been foreseen, and added: “This is a serious problem. Those coming into contact with positive Omicron cases will not be able to follow the rules and get themselves tested on a daily basis.”
There has also been an increased demand for booster vaccines, with many people spending hours in queues at walk-in clinics to get their jabs.
