1. Home
  2. Announcements
  3. Advice for residents following incorrect PCR results

Advice for residents following incorrect PCR results

Residents who have recently completed COVID-19 PCR tests at Newbury Showground may have been given an incorrect negative result.

Reports from local residents in recent weeks have raised concerns about the accuracy of test results from the site - which is operated by the UK Health Security Agency (opens in new window) (UKHSA). West Berkshire Council passed these concerns onto the UKHSA for further investigation and they have confirmed that they have suspended testing by one particular laboratory. 

An estimated 43,000 people may have been given incorrect negative PCR test results between 8 September and 12 October, mostly in the South West of England but also including the Newbury Showground test site. This is an isolated incident attributed to one laboratory and all samples are now being redirected to other laboratories.

There is no evidence of any faults with LFD or PCR test kits themselves and the public should remain confident in using them and in other laboratory services currently provided. 

Advice for residents

Further to information published by UKHSA and confirmation of when the laboratory in question no longer processed specimens/PCR's from Newbury Showground, it has been estimated that this issue may have affected PCR test results between 8th September and 12th October.

Anyone who has been affected by this and may still be infectious will have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace now.

In the meantime, it is strongly encouraged that anyone who has had a negative PCR result up to and including 12th October should book a repeat PCR as soon as possible if:

  • It is still within 10 days of symptoms starting; or
  • It is still within 10 days of a positive result from a LFD

Book a PCR test here (opens in new window)

 

Mobile Test Unit

A COVID-19 PCR mobile testing unit will be at Newbury Rugby Club (RG14 7RW), between 9am and 2pm on Saturday 16 October.

The testing unit will be available for pre-booked appointments only. You will be turned away if you have not booked. Tests can be booked 24-hours in advance.

You must register for an appointment in advance using the links below:

Please follow the instructions provided to you.  Signage will also be in place to help direct you.  Please note, this is a PCR testing unit, separate from the LFD testing unit.

back