Covid rapid lateral flow test kits are in short supply in Ripon, with pharmacies currently out of stock and awaiting deliveries.
Supplies of lateral flow tests are patchy at best in most of the country. Our reporter visited pharmacies across Ripon to find out what the situation is like on the ground locally.
Being unable to take tests poses problems for people requiring a negative result to be able go to work. People have also been urged to check they are negative before attending busy New Year’s Eve events.
Day Lewis Pharmacy, which has shops on North Street (pictured below) and Westgate, ran out of kits yesterday, but was hoping to receive a delivery later today.
The free kits are available on a first-come-first-served basis, but those wanting them have to provide a code, which they obtain online.
Boots, which is based in Market Place West, has a sign on its door which reads:
“Due to a surge in demand, unfortunately lateral flow tests are temporarily unavailable.”
And across the city at the Morrisons supermarket pharmacy, a supply of tests kits received yesterday was soon gone and no further delivery was expected today.
A member of staff at the pharmacy said:
“They went almost as quickly as they arrived. We are hoping that more of the test kits come in tomorrow.”
Lucy Kitching, who works for NHS England, had a frustrating evening trying to order test kits online via the government website, which states:
“Picking up rapid lateral flow tests from a local pharmacy or collection point is the quickest way to get them for most people.”
Ms Kitching told the Stray Ferret:
“As a member of my family caught covid, I need to take lateral flow tests, as well as a PCR test, before I can go back to work.
“I spent a lot of time on the website, which eventually crashed and as I was unable to order a test kit online I decided to try the Boots in Ripon, but discovered that they don’t have any currently available.
“Fortunately, I have friends that can let me have some, so I will just have to rely on them.”
Read More:
- Covid cases across the Harrogate district rise to new high
- Ripon’s New Year’s fireworks display is cancelled
Twenty-five pharmacies in the Harrogate district have signed up to become collection points for coronavirus tests and more are expected to come on stream in the coming days.
Rapid lateral flow tests are now freely available for people who do not have covid symptoms as part of government attempts to control the spread of the virus.
The NHS map showing collection points has 14 sites in Harrogate, five in Knaresborough, three in Ripon and one in Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham respectively.
It is a major improvement since the initiative began on Friday when only a single pharmacy in Knaresborough was signed up to the scheme.
Such sites enable people to take rapid lateral flow tests twice a week. If someone tests positive they then need to take a more accurate PCR test.
Public health officials hope the pharmacies and a mobile testing unit will plug a potential gap in collection points, which could be left when the Dragon Road testing site in Harrogate closes on June 1.
Read more:
- Harrogate basks in the sun as shopping and dining returns
- First covid death at Harrogate hospital in nearly two weeks
- Police and council to check Harrogate venues comply with outdoor rule
Health officials told a coronavirus press briefing today that they are still working with Harrogate Borough Council to find a replacement site for PCR testing.
As well as pharmacies and testing sites, people can also order tests to be sent to their homes, or get tests through work or school.
Dr Victoria Turner, a public health consultant, told today’s press briefing of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum:
“We are in the best position in terms of case numbers for about six months, we are not quite at the low levels of last summer yet.
“But with lockdown rules easing there is a chance that cases will start to rise. Test positivity has come down in recent weeks and there has been a significant increase in lateral flow testing.
“We have had lots of pharmacies sign up to the national testing programme but we are expecting even more to come online in the next few days.”
Richard Webb, director of health and adult services at North Yorkshire County Council, also said:
“Just on the point of lateral flow tests, I was in a pharmacy the other day and asked about the interest in testing.
“They told me that they have had the most interest from those who are over 50. It might be that younger people are going through other outlets but it is something to explore.”
Harrogate District Hospital currently has just five coronavirus patients but recently reported its first covid death in nearly two weeks.
The seven-day average rate of infection now stands at 16 per 100,000 people in the district. The North Yorkshire seven-day rate is 21 and the England average is 36.
Doctors’ surgeries will offer bank holiday appointments over Easter weekendDoctors’ surgeries across the Harrogate district will be offering bank holiday appointments as the NHS continues to deal with the coronavirus crisis.
North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said appointments will be available on Good Friday and Easter Monday, and some practices will be working together as a ‘hub’.
Anyone needing an urgent appointment should call their GP practice, rather than visit in person, and they will be advised over the phone or asked to come in to the surgery.
On Saturday and Sunday, the usual weekend arrangements will be in place, with anyone needing medical advice asked to call NHS 111.
Meanwhile, community pharmacies will be open for a minimum of three hours from 2-5pm on Good Friday and Easter Monday, with some open for longer. Saturday’s opening hours will be the same as normal, while the usual Easter Day opening hours will apply on Sunday.