The Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it would take a ‘matter of weeks’ to fix the widespread problems with the coronavirus testing system, after health leaders warned the shortages were preventing NHS staff from going to work.

In Bolton which has the highest rate of infection in the country, The Royal Hospital tweeted that

“A&E is currently very busy, managing a high volume of patients who have arrived requesting a Covid Test”

A walk-through coronavirus testing facility has opened at Mere Hall Road Car Park in Bolton

More than 100 have turned up at the Royal Bolton Hospital over the past couple of days, leading to ambulances queuing outside.

Meanwhile in response to concerns raised about the availability of coronavirus tests in Greater Manchester, a spokesperson for the Mayor of Greater Manchester said:

“At a time when Greater Manchester is being bit harder by Covid than any other part of the country it is not acceptable that people here cannot access a test locally.

“Our Local Authorities are doing all they can to increase capacity in places like Bolton but we are hamstrung by serious issues with the national booking system and nationally run sites.  The Government must act immediately to get this sorted and work with us to establish a better long term solution to this problem.

“We would ask people to try booking an appointment only if you have coronavirus symptoms or you have been asked to get tested.”

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