Two further coronavirus deaths recorded in Yorkshire as concerns grow over testing

One patient died at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust on Monday, September 14 and one patient died at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on Tuesday, September 15.

It brings the total number of Covid-19 deaths recorded at hospitals in Yorkshire to 2,931, according to the latest figures from NHS England.

A total of 11 deaths from coronavirus have been registered across England on Wednesday, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals to 29,687,

Patients were aged between 69 and 98 and all had known underlying health conditions.

The dates of the deaths were between September 11 and September 15, with the majority on September 14.

Five other deaths were reported with no positive Covid-19 test result.

It comes as the Government is faced with mounting criticism over the troubled coronavirus testing system.

Tests were not available for people with coronavirus symptoms in some of England’s worst affected areas on Wednesday.

Slots were offered in one of the 10 local authorities with the highest Covid-19 infection rates, as the testing system struggles to cope with soaring demand.

As of Wednesday morning, those trying to book a test in Bradford, which has recorded a sharp increase in its seven-day rate, were told to try again later.

It was not possible to book a test in Bolton – which currently has the highest infection rate in England – on Wednesday morning.

But those trying to book a test in Hyndburn, which has the seventh highest rate, were being offered a walk-through nearly 20 miles away in Bolton, with slots available at Mere Hall car park, according to the Government website.

As of midday, tests were not available in the local authority of Oadby and Wigston, in Leicestershire, which has the second highest rate in England.

Tests were not available in other parts of the North West, where some areas remain under local restrictions.

On Wednesday morning, it was not possible to book a test in Preston, which has the third highest infection rate in the country, and Oldham, which has the fourth.

Tests were also not available on the Government website in the remainder of 10 local authorities with surging cases, which are Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Tameside, Warrington and Knowsley.

It was also not possible to book a slot in Liverpool, Wirral, Bury or Salford, which are all areas within the top 20 highest infection rates in England.

In St Helens, a drive-through test was offered at Royal Blackburn Hospital and a walk-through at a site in Farnworth, Bolton.

A drive-through test nearly 53 miles away at Uttoxeter Racecourse Stables car park was offered to those trying to book a test in Rochdale, as well as a walk-through at Railway Road car park in Darwen.

One woman who lives in Leicester, which recorded 306 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, one of the sharpest increases in any city in the UK, said she had been unable to book a test for her son.

Callan Glover said she had been seeking a test for six-year-old Arlo Schlupp, who had previously needed to shield for medical reasons, since Monday.

The 30-year-old said the Government website was unable to provide her with a home test and offered her a test centre over 400 miles away in Aberdeen.

On Tuesday, the 30-year-old paid £125 for Arlo to be tested privately and he was seen within the hour, with results expected within 48 hours.

“I felt I had no choice as I am concerned for his health,” she said.

“He also has had five positive cases in his school over the last few days. I can only assume there are many more cases but we can’t test our children.

“It’s made me very frustrated. We knew the kids were going back to school … we shouldn’t be paying privately.”

There was a similar picture in Fencehouses near Sunderland, where an outbreak has been linked to a working men’s club, as those booking tests were told to return later.