AFTER residents complained they couldn't get a coronavirus test in recent days, more testing sites are now popping up across Worcestershire.

A walk in test centre has been set up at County Hall, in addition to the already established drive-in testing site at Sixways.

And it is understood a further walk in one is also being planned for the University of Worcester, while Bromsgrove, Kidderminster and Redditch are also getting walk in test centres.

The new testing centres are likely being set up due to growing concerns about the rise of Covid-19 cases in the county, and in response to Worcestershire residents complaints that they had struggled to book a test in the last week.

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A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “Alongside the drive in testing site at Worcester Warriors, Worcestershire County Council Public Health teams are working on plans for four new test sites that will be accessible on foot.

“One at the University of Worcester, one in Bromsgrove, one in Kidderminster and one in Redditch.

“These are to provide easier access for community members who may not drive, or need more local access for example.

“Residents must book a test online here or by calling 119, in order to use these new sites once they are up and running.

“They are not drop-in centres. The test centres take three to four weeks to set up.

“Testing is available to people who have a symptom of Covid-19 or have officially been told to get a test. If you do not have a symptom, please do not take a test from someone who needs it."

This afternoon the authority admitted a lack of coronavirus testing was making cases look lower than they are.

Dr. Kathryn Cobain, the Director for Public Health in Worcestershire, said: "The figures are not a true picture as residents with symptoms are not being tested.

"Now is not the time to be complacent or to think the virus has gone away."

Earlier this week we reported that Public Health England (PHE) figures show Worcester had, during the week up to last Thursday, (September 10), an infection rate of 13.9 cases per 100,000 people, up from 10.9 the week before.

Wychavon was up to 27.8 from 10.8 the week before, Malvern was on 25.4 up from 19.1, while Bromsgrove - the worst hit area in terms of Covid-19 deaths in the pandemic - has reached 32, up from 20.

Wyre Forest was up to 14.8, from 8.9 the previous week, while Redditch was down to 11.7 from 16.4.