THERE is a shortage of Covid-19 test kits.

Residents are urged to pick up their Lateral Flow Tests from pharmacies or order online until a national issue is resolved.

There is currently a shortage of rapid home tests at Council collection sites, including community pick-up points, libraries and Shirehall.

The shortfall, which has arisen due to an issue with the national system, is expected to be short lived and Shropshire Council is working closely with the Department for Health and Social Care to resolve the issue.

In the meantime, the message is to order tests online or arrange to collect them at a local pharmacy.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this will cause, however, would like to reassure residents that tests will remain available either through home delivery or from pharmacies,” said Rachel Robinson, Shropshire’s director of public health.

“This relates only to a temporary issue with central supplies and testing kits supplied directly to the council which should be resolved soon.

“Regular twice weekly testing is one of the main methods we have for controlling further spread of the virus and I urge people to continue with this. Shropshire has a very high level of infection at the moment. No different from similar rural counties.”