THERE were temporarily no PCR tests available in Worcester for a second day as demand soars following a wave of Omicron cases.

However, people in Worcester have still able to get tested at the drive through centre at County Hall in Worcester today and a limited number of slots opened up in the afternoon in the West Midlands despite initial shortages. However, by 1pm tests were once more listed as 'non available' after online slots were quickly snapped up.

How we first reported the PCC shortages

Queues of cars were visible at the test centre as the country was hit by a second day of shortages of PCR tests, according to the UK Government's own test website.

The website once again listed 'non available' for PCR tests either for home tests or at drive-in centres across England, including in the West Midlands this morning. However, Robin Walker, MP for Worcester, was assured that more slots would open up that same day. More did become available with the message 'very few available' listed for the region on the Government website.

However, within a short time the website once again displayed the non available message.

This followed a similar pattern yesterday (Wednesday) about PCR tests. They were listed on the website as non available before slots became available later in the afternoon.

Mr Walker said: "I recognise the enormous importance of testing both for reassurance and for identifying cases of the Omicron variant. I want to make sure as many tests as possible are available to my constituents. I have raised any local issues of availability with the Department of Health. I'm reassured they have increased the overall supply and will continue to do so."

Mr Walker sought assurances from colleagues in health that, despite the high demand, slots would become available as soon as possible.

He said the Government had also doubled the orders of lateral flow tests and, as schools minister, he was keen to ensure they were available across schools and colleges in the constituency.

Mr Walker said: "We have arranged a testing on return programme for secondary schools which should help."

Elsewhere in the UK, parts of Northern Ireland also have limited availability.

Mr Walker and other MPs received a letter from Health Secretary Sajid Javid on Wednesday which laid out Government plans to strengthen the testing regime.

Mr Javid wrote: "The arrival of the Omicron variant has caused record case numbers and unprecedented demand for both PCR and Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests. This has inevitably placed strain on the testing system, despite the impressive scaling-up of supply, logistics and laboratory capacity. Other countries have faced similar challenges.

"Since the beginning of the pandemic, over 350 million PCR and LFD tests have been registered in England (nearly 400 million in the UK), and we now see an average of around 1.5 million tests reported each day. In response to the UK challenges, the UK Health Security Agency has more than doubled LFD deliveries from 120 million tests to nearly 300 million in December, more per head than any other country."

Although lateral flow tests are not currently available to order, you can pick them up in person from various locations. These include: Local pharmacies, Covid testing centre, nursery or childcare provider, schools, colleges and universities and some workplaces.