People who tested negative for Covid-19 at a Newbury testing site were actually infected, West Berkshire Council has warned.

PCR tests completed at Newbury Showground returned false negative results over the past month.

The council are strongly recommending that anyone who took a test between October 3 and 12 and their close contacts should get another test.

Councillor for health and wellbeing Graham Bridgman said: “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.”

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He said the issues concerning inaccurate testing have “now been resolved” at the site.

"Testing continues to remain important as we learn to live with Covid and anyone who has symptoms, or who has been in contact with someone who tests positive, should book a PCR test straightaway.

“We also strongly encourage the public to do twice weekly lateral flow testing.”

The issue came to the council’s attention after members of the public reported concerns about the accuracy of test results.

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Newbury Showground was one of several operated by the Department for Health and Social Care in the country which were affected by false negative results.

An estimated 43,000 people may have been given wrong negative Covid test results, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

NHS Test and Trace has suspended testing operations provided by Immensa Health Clinic Ltd at its laboratory in Wolverhampton, following an investigation into reports of people receiving negative PCR test results after they have previously tested positive on a lateral flow.

A negative PCR means people will not have needed to isolate and could potentially have spread the infection to many other people.

The errors relate to test results given to people between September 8 and October 12, mainly in the South West of England, but with some cases in the South East and Wales.

There are no technical issues with test kits themselves and people should continue to test as normal, UKHSA said.

The Government awarded Immensa a £119 million contract in October 2020 to urgently “develop volume for PCR testing for Covid in line with test and trace requirements”, the contract shows.

The contract did not go to tender under rules allowing urgent responses to the pandemic.

A further £50 million was awarded to Immensa by the Government in a contract last September.

Immensa was incorporated as a company in the UK in May 2020.

Andrea Riposati, chief executive of Immensa, said: “We are fully collaborating with UKHSA on this matter.

“Quality is paramount for us. We have proudly analysed more than 2.5 million samples for NHS Test and Trace, working closely with the great teams at the Department for Health and UKHSA.

“We do not wish this matter or anything else to tarnish the amazing work done by the UK in this pandemic.”

More information on how to access lateral flow tests can be found here.

For further information on booking a PCR visit this website.

If you will lose income by completing the self-isolation process or staying at home looking after a child who is self-isolating, you can apply for a support payment here.

If you are concerned about how this issue might affect you or your family, you can contact the council on 01635 503579.