John Denley, Wolverhampton's Director of Public Health, said: "We have been made aware that NHS Test and Trace has suspended one of its privately run PCR testing laboratories.

"NHS Test and Trace estimates that 43,000 people, mostly in South West England, may have been given incorrect negative PCR test results by the laboratory in Wolverhampton between 8 September and 12 October.

"Test and Trace will contact people that could still be infectious to advise them to take another test, while close contacts who are symptomatic will also be urged to get tested. If you are not contacted, you should continue to follow the advice you have already received.

"The City of Wolverhampton Council has no involvement with this privately run laboratory, but we are seeking urgent clarification from the UK Health Security Agency and the Department of Health and Social Care as to whether the issue is likely to have implications for residents who have taken PCR tests in Wolverhampton over the last few weeks.

"In the meantime, people with symptoms of Covid-19 should continue to book a free PCR test as normal by calling 119 or visiting GOV.UK and should be reassured that these will be processed at other NHS Test and Trace laboratories around the country."