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Residents who have recently completed COVID-19 PCR tests at Newbury Showground may have been given an incorrect negative result. This bulletin tells you more about this - and what you should do if you have had a test recently.
We've received reports from local residents in recent weeks that there were concerns about the accuracy of test results from the site - which is operated by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). We passed these concerns onto the UKHSA for further investigation and they have today confirmed that they have suspended testing by one particular laboratory.
An estimated 43,000 people may have been given incorrect negative PCR test results between 8 September and 12 October, mostly in the South West of England but also including the Newbury Showground test site. This is an isolated incident attributed to one laboratory and all samples are now being redirected to other laboratories.
There is no evidence of any faults with LFD or PCR test kits themselves and residents can remain confident in using them and in other laboratory services currently provided.
Advice for residents
Further to information published by UKHSA and confirmation of when the laboratory in question no longer processed specimens/PCR’s from Newbury Showground, it has been estimated that this issue may have affected PCR test results between 8 September and 12 October.
Anyone who has been affected by this and may still be infectious will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace by Sunday.
In the meantime, we would also strongly encourage anyone who has had a negative PCR result up to and including 12th October to book a repeat PCR test as soon as possible if:
- It is still within 10 days of symptoms starting; or
- It is still within 10 days of a positive result from a LFD.
Councillor Graham Bridgman, West Berkshire Council's Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing, has issued the following statement:
"We are aware there was an issue with some tests undertaken at Newbury Showground earlier this month, which has now been resolved. We would urge any residents that are concerned about their results to book another test as soon as possible so we can continue to prevent the spread of the virus across the district.
"Testing continues to remain important as we learn to live with Covid and anyone who has symptoms, or who has been in contact with someone who tests positive, should book a PCR test straightaway. We also strongly encourage the public to do twice weekly lateral flow testing."
Visit our website for more information on how to access lateral flow tests.
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