HAMPSHIRE residents are being urged to continue coming forward for testing if they have one or more of the three main symptoms of coronavirus, the county council has said.

The update comes as many residents continue to struggle to book in for tests locally. 

Cllr Keith Mans, leader of Hampshire County Council, said: “We know that due to high demand, some Hampshire residents are experiencing delays in securing a test via the national booking system, or getting their results back, but it’s imperative that anyone with symptoms absolutely must come forward to get tested as this will help to stop the spread of the virus.

“It is equally important that those who do not have symptoms, refrain from booking a test – as this is pushing demand higher than it needs to be and could limit the opportunity for people who really need one. A recent survey at testing sites suggests around a quarter of people who have accessed tests did not have symptoms.

“While the number of confirmed cases in Hampshire remains relatively low compared with the England average, the delays some people are experiencing is a serious concern, and we therefore want to do all we can to support local residents to secure a test quickly and easily – we will continue therefore to urge Government for greater local control over local Test and Trace capacity.”

The update advises residents to continue trying to book a test even if one is not available at first, as more are released throughout the day.

It says that residents should only book a test if they are displaying one or more of the three main symtoms, and that residents awaiting a convenient slot should continue to self-isolate in the meantime. 

Full completion of the online booking form is required, and a QR code must be shown at the testing centres upon arrival. 

A search on the government testing portal at 10:00am this morning, Monday September 21, inputting Basingstoke Festival Place postcode (RG21 7BA), showed that the closest test centre for Basingstoke residents is at Basingstoke Motorola Solutions Mobile Unit at Viables Industrial Estate, Jays Close, with multiple appointments available. 

There are currently no at-home test kits available.