Patients urged not to go to Wigan's A&E unit for coronavirus test

They say a "high volume" of people have been going to Wigan Infirmary to ask for a test, when they should instead secure a place at a testing facility either by phone or online.

A spokesman for Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "We are receiving a high volume of patients coming to A&E requesting a Covid-19 test. Patients are requested not to turn up to the hospital."

People were asked to go to gov.uk/coronavirus to find out how to book a test.

It echoes the message shared yesterday by chiefs at nearby Royal Bolton Hospital, where people have also been trying to get tests. Bolton continues to have the highest rate of coronavirus infections in the country.

Nationwide there have been problems with accessing tests as demand surges and Wigan Council has temporarily stopped taking bookings for tests at its centre on Chapel Lane, which is separate to the Government system.