Well out of order

THE worried well are overwhelming our beleaguered Covid testing system, which is not able to cope with the unprecedented number of requests for tests. of the hundreds of thousands of tests done daily, only a tiny minority are positive. I am a former health professional and so know the worried well will always be the ones who abuse the system.

I hate to think how many individuals with genuine symptoms have been unable to access a test due to these selfish people.

our testing system does need to improve, but with the low proportion of positive tests, how much time and money has been spent on those with coughs and colds?

JUNe MUSGRAVe, Scarborough, N. Yorks.

IT IS all very well blaming the public for clogging up the Covid testing system, but I seem to recall Matt Hancock advising people to get tested if they thought they actually had symptoms.

BRYAN WRIGHt, Greenock, Renfrewshire.

THE test centres and labs are being overwhelmed because people who don’t need a test are asking for one.

Not only do they go to find out if they are infected, they go to find out if they are not infected. If you want to visit your GP’s surgery, you are asked if you have Covid symptoms and your temperature is taken. If this basic test indicates you are clear of infection, you can be admitted.

Why can’t this be the way to access a Covid test? only people with an elevated temperature should be tested. This will ease the strain on centres and prevent time-wasting.

R. PIDGeON, Waterlooville, Hants.