Around 1,000 people waiting for a covid test

Friday 29 January 2021

The backlog for a Covid-19 test is expected to remain "significant" for a while yet, with the waiting list filling up as quickly as it's cleared.

750 to 1,000 people are currently sitting on a constant backlog, as more people are booked in for tests each day as part of our enhanced track and trace system, which is central to Public Health's efforts to identify any positive cases in the community.

“There is a significant number of people booked in and waiting for testing,” said Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink. 

“We have brought in extra resources to get rid of that backlog.”

Pictured: The Princess Elizabeth Hospital can test four cars at one time now, due to an increase in testing capabilities.

The size of the waiting list is compounded by people needing to get a day 7 and day 13 test as well. So, with every new person booked into the system, there are two extra tests to book in beyond their first one.

The infrastructure of our testing capabilities has been heavily invested in by the States of Guernsey. We are currently testing more than 1,000 people a day, and this isn’t expected to change in the immediate future. 

Pictured: The testing team have been working late into the night, with 1,100 tests in one day being the record so far.

“The tests keep getting added to each day,” said CEO of the States of Guernsey, Paul Whitfield, “every time someone is symptomatic that then requires a test, or someone is a contact, they all get added to the list.”

Members of the public who are waiting for a test are being asked to be patient, while Public Health works its way through a massive list.

“The testing regime, for some time now, will not get any less in terms of demand,” said Mr Whitfield.