‘Unauthorised’ Covid test facility on A38 charging £50

AN “UNAUTHORISED” Covid-19 testing facility charging people £50 for a test has been reported on the A38.

A warning has been put out by the NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-trent Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGS) after reports of the facility, which is claiming to carry out the “pin prick” antibody test.

The test is designed to see if people have already had Covid and is usually carried out for free by the NHS.

The CCGS took to social media to warn about the alleged “private testing facility” which has been reported on the dual carriageway south of Burton.

People are warned not to attend the site, which has now been reported to the authorities, the CCGS said.

The Facebook post reads: “The CCGS have been made aware of a ‘private testing facility’ on the A38, south of Burton, that is offering £50 for ‘pin prick’ antibody tests.

“Please be aware that this is not an authorised testing facility and patients must not be attending the site in question.

“Staffordshire County Council, Trading Standards and the police have all been informed.”

Dr Richard Harling, director for health and care at Staffordshire County Council, said: “We wouldn’t recommend people use private testing facilities as we cannot confirm whether these private sites are using validated tests.

“Antibody tests do not tell you whether you have an active Covid-19 infection.

“Instead, we would encourage anyone with Covid-19 symptoms to book a test with through the Government’s online testing portal, or book at one of our Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent community testing sites.”

Staffordshire Police has been contacted for a comment.