A NUMBER of PCR testing sites have been giving Covid false negatives, the Department of Health warned last night.

       Residents have been urged to get retested after concerns were raised over results delivered at Newbury Showground testing site.

       1

       A number of PCR testing sites have been giving Covid false negatives, the Department of Health has warned Credit: Getty

       There are fears the site sent out negative test results for patients who may have been positive.

       A spokesman for West Berkshire Council said: “Over the past month, some PCR tests completed at the Newbury Showground testing site, operated by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), have had results sent out that may have incorrectly shown as negative for Covid-19.

       “After receiving reports from local residents in recent weeks that there were concerns about the accuracy of test results from the site, we passed these concerns onto the DHSC for further investigation.

       “The DHSC has now confirmed that a number of sites nationally may have been affected by this issue, including the one at Newbury Showground.”

       People who got a negative result after taking a PCR test at the site between October 3 and 12 were “strongly” recommended to get a retest and close contacts.

       West Berkshire councillor Graham Bridgman, Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “We are aware there was an issue with some tests undertaken at Newbury Showground earlier this month, which has now been resolved.

       Most read in News

       BAD BLOOD Moment man knifed to death through car window by BROTHER in broad daylight attack

       WHO ARE THEY? Chilling moment men dressed as fake cops try to get into woman's home

       Exclusive

       PRISON HELL Brit jailed for 25 yrs over CBD oil ‘beaten & TASERED’ in hellhole Dubai jail

       'HE'S ON THE CHOPPING BOARD NEXT' Meghan's brother claims she will DUMP Harry before long

       MIND THE GAP Ten cars and police van smashed into 'traffic calming post' in just FOUR weeks

       cash machines Meg & Harry slammed by expert for banking job as they 'know ZERO on finance'

       “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.”

       Grant Shapps wants lateral flow Covid tests to replace PCRs for returning travellers by half-term