Backlog of 185,000 Covid-19 swabs and tests sent to labs in Italy and Germany

CORONAVIRUS tests are being sent to labs in Italy and Germany amid a backlog of 185,000 swabs.

The British government's coronavirus testing programme is facing criticism for struggling to meet demand. It comes after reports this week that many people who tried to access tests were met with an error message telling them to try again, and warning them not to call the helplines.

The Sunday Times yesterday also reported that there has been an increase in tests being voided.

Northern Ireland laboratory Randox disposed of 12,401 used swabs in a single day on September 2. It has voided more than 35,000 used test kits since the start of August.

When contacted by the PA news agency about the accuracy of the figures reported by the Sunday Times, a spokesman for Randox said it does not comment on the number of voided tests or void rates.

In a statement, Randox said a small minority of samples may be voided for reasons such as leaking or damaged tubes, or have time expired.

"Those being tested are made aware that samples only remain valid for a limited period once collected, and those periods of validity are fully understood across the planning and logistic process," the statement said.

"Randox have no responsibility for the logistics of sample delivery to laboratories."

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in England insists the capacity of the NHS Test and Trace system is at the highest it has ever been, but there had been a "significant" demand for tests.

The DHSC said it plans to rapidly expand capacity in the coming weeks and new technology will be brought in to process tests faster.

Regarding tests being sent abroad, the DHSC said the public expects them to be doing everything they can to respond to the pandemic, including working with a wide range of public and private sector partners.