Covid PCR tests are unavailable say Isle of Wight residents

For a time, there were no appointments, either on the Island, or across the south east. PCR test kits, which can be ordered online and posted to your homes, were available for a time, but the government website quickly showed none were available.

The problem appeared to be nationwide, with the official site reporting no appointments in any English region.

In the last hour, appointments have appeared on the website and we are being advised to keep checking back if trying to book a PCR test.

COVID-19 testing appointments are currently unavailable on the IOW and on the mainland, due to high demand.

If you've got COVID-19 symptoms or a positive lateral flow test, isolate until you're able to secure a test.

Check the Gov. website regularly for appointments.

— Isle of Wight NHS Trust (@IOWNHS) December 29, 2021

Read more:

• No PCR tests available in England says Government website - What we know
• How many Covid patients in ICU have no booster? Boris Johnson's update

The government website appears to confirm what Islanders are finding.

Some in-person PCR appointments are available in Wales and Scotland, but Northern Ireland is reporting there are none available.

On the Isle of Wight, a teacher with symptoms of Covid-19 has been unable to secure an appointment, even as an essential worker.

An Islander said, "I fear many others in the same situation will just go out and party over the next few days."

Among reports of a low availability of lateral flow tests, the Work and Pensions minister Chloe Smith has told BBC Breakfast today that we should "persevere" in an efforts to secure a Covid-19 test.

• Read more: Isle of Wight's daily Covid data update

She said: "What we’re seeing is increased demand for testing, which is good and sensible because that’s part of people having been cautious.

"We’re seeing spikes of demand.

"Please persevere with either making use of your friendly local pharmacy, or using the delivery method on the Gov.uk website.

"Even whilst there have been periods of great demand, we’ve had to replenish behind the scenes. That is happening and the delivery is occurring," PA reported.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minster is urging everyone to get a booster jab, if they are eligible.

Boris Johnson said he could "not stress enough" how important it is.

He said 2.4 million eligible double-jabbed people are yet to take up the offer and revealed "the overwhelming majority of people who are currently ending up in intensive care in our hospitals are people who are not boosted."

Parts of London and Manchester have seen a surge in cases.

The Isle of Wight is well below the current national average of Covid cases, according to the latest published information, some of which is five days old by the time it is published.