The Isle of Wight Council is the latest to voice frustration with the Covid-19 testing system, which has seen Islanders sent to the mainland, while others have travelled up to 90 miles from their mainland homes for an appointment at Newclose Cricket Ground.

The County Press has been hearing from some of those affected by problems with an online booking system that, it appears, failed to acknowledge the ferry crossing when it offered those with symptoms their swab test appointments.

It has raised fears of further transmission of the virus.

Meanwhile, the Island had seen a significant increase in calls to the non emergency NHS number, from those wanting to book a Covid-19 test. However, 111 cannot arrange tests.

Need a test? Scroll down for advice on what to do...

Yesterday, Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely revealed he has written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock to call for a better approach.

Read more: Covid-19 test crisis prompts MP letter to Matt Hancock

Today, County Hall says it has told the government to act swiftly, after Islanders were offered tests at Warminster, Bristol and Salisbury - anywhere but Newport.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Council leader Dave Stewart said: “The Island has not been immune from the national challenges with the test and trace programme and we have seen reductions in the number of appointments available at our testing facility with people being offered alternative slots at venues many miles away.

“People are being expected to travel on ferries — in contravention of clear government guidance about using public transport while seeking a Covid-19 test — thereby putting themselves and others at unnecessary risk. This is unacceptable.

"Islanders are also being told not to turn up at the cricket ground without an appointment.

How to book a Covid-19 test

Tests should be booked by calling the 119 Test and Trace helpline, or going online via nhs.uk/coronavirus.

New test slots are made available morning and evening, for the following day.

Can't get through? The message is to keep trying.

"There should be sufficient test availability"

Simon Bryant, director of public health for the Isle of Wight, said: "Residents should not travel to mainland testing sites when symptomatic. There should be sufficient test availability for you to be tested here and if the system only offers a mainland testing site, please retry or request a home test.

"Of most importance is to only book a test if you have the symptoms of the coronavirus (high temperature, new, persistent cough and/or loss of taste and smell); this is when the current type of test is most effective.

"A test at any time will only be as good as the day it is taken and it is not a predictor of future wellbeing."

However, Islanders have told the County Press they have been told to stay off work and school, unless they can prove they do not have Covid-19.

Read their stories in this week's County Press newspaper.

We have also been told that home tests have been unavailable and have heard from some Islanders who have experienced such a long wait for tests that their isolation period is now ending anyway.

Earlier this month, Mr Bryant said employers cannot force Islanders to get a test.

Read more: Isle of Wight health chief: Bosses can't force Covid-19 test