Brits were temporarily unable to order lateral flow COVID-19 test kits on ‘Freedom Day’, the day nearly all restrictions in the UK were lifted.
This is likely due to a high demand for kits as the easing of rules meant more people were going back to work and mixing in restaurants, clubs, bars, and pubs.
People trying to order a pack of lateral flow tests from the Government website were told shortly after midday that no more could be ordered for the rest of the day.
The error message read: “Sorry, no more tests can be ordered today. No more rapid lateral flow tests can be ordered online or through the call centre today. Please try again tomorrow when more tests will be available.”
Tests remained unavailable until mid-afternoon, when the service resumed.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that lateral flow devices (LFDs) are still available to order via gov.uk website.
“There was a temporary technical glitch with the website earlier today and this has now been rectified.”
Lateral flow test can be carried out at home, and unlike the more sophisticated PCR tests, can produce a result within half an hour.
Anyone can order a pack, which contains seven tests and usually arrives through the post the next day.
The UK recorded its highest increase in cases in six months on Saturday with 54,674 new infections.
But while case numbers are on the rise, COVID death figures have seen a slight decrease.
Last week 26 people were recorded as having died from COVID, while figures released yesterday showed 25 people had died of COVID in the last 24 hours.
Lilly Subbotin
This is a syndicated feed from Pharmafile
