After government figures showed Stroud has one of the three highest Covid rates in the country, Stroud District Green Party is asking MP Siobhan Baillie to urgently speak to Health Secretary Sajid Javid to ensure it cannot happen again.
Cllr Chloe Turner, Green county councillor for Minchinhampton, says the increase was due at least in part to the virus being spread by people who were negative according to the test results from the Immensa laboratory – but who were actually positive.
Cllr Turner, who has recently recovered from catching Covid from her school-aged children said: “Despite being double vaccinated, I felt really rotten and it was not a pleasant experience. It is essential as parents and community members that we know our tests are processed by a competent lab.
“I also urge all eligible people to get vaccinated, to keep their loved ones as safe as possible.”
She added: “It is absolutely scandalous that huge numbers of inaccurate test results have led to potentially thousands of Covid-positive people roaming the streets spreading the virus.
“The government should shut down the laboratory in question instead of making vague promises about ‘investigating’. Our MP must make clear in the strongest possible terms that the people of Gloucestershire want action.”
