Coronavirus: Home testing kits run out on UK Government website

Lateral flow tests for home delivery have run out, according to the UK Government’s website.

Amid a surge in Omicron infections, people logging on to order a supply are being met by the message “Sorry, there are no more home test kits available right now. Try again later.

“Or, you can go back and try to book a test site appointment instead.”

A spokesperson for the UK Health Security Agency said: “Everyone who needs a lateral flow test can collect test kits – either at their local pharmacy, some community sites and some schools and colleges.

“Due to exceptionally high demand, ordering lateral flow tests on gov.uk has been temporarily suspended to fulfil existing orders.”

Scotland’s health secretary Humza Yousaf tweeted: “We’re in ongoing discussions with UK Govt urging them to resolve issues around ordering LFD test kits.

“Reminder, you can use link below to enter your postcode & find local sites where LFDs can be picked up. Check ahead where possible, demand will be high.”

We're in ongoing discussions with UK Govt urging them to resolve issues around ordering LFD test kits. Reminder, you can use link below to enter your postcode & find local sites where LFDs can be picked up. Check ahead where possible, demand will be high.https://t.co/JJA9r7eKNH
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) December 13, 2021

Earlier this month, deputy first minister John Swinney said he takes a lateral flow test every time he leaves home, as he encouraged Scots to take the tests more than twice a week.

He also said the Scottish Government wants people to take the “very reliable” tests more frequently.

People living in Scotland have previously been able to order lateral flow test kits – one pack per day – via the UK Government portal.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus booster jag is now available to book for the 30-39 age group in Scotland, as long as it has been 12 weeks since their second vaccine, with appointments for 18-29-year-olds expected to begin later in the week.

But there were reports at the weekend of vaccine centres being forced to turn people away as a result of staff absences.

People arriving to receive their jabs at a major facility in Edinburgh also reported lengthy queues.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced changes to Scotland’s isolation rules last week amid the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of the virus.

She said the household contacts of any person who tests positive for Covid should now isolate for ten days.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson also addressed the nation on Sunday evening about the booster programme.

He said the target for giving every adult a booster jab was being brought forward by a month over fears of a “tidal wave of Omicron” that could cause “very many deaths”.

The Scottish Government has set a target of offering booster jabs to all eligible adults by the end of the year, but more Covid-19 restrictions may still be needed to combat Omicron, Sturgeon said.

At a media briefing last week, the First Minister warned of a potential “tsunami” of infections, as Omicron quickly becomes the dominant strain in Scotland.

The latest statistics show 38 more Omicron cases have been confirmed in Scotland, taking the total to 159.

There were 4002 coronavirus cases in total reported on Sunday, with no new deaths.