| Good evening and here's hoping you managed to get out in the sunshine a little today, The weather has been glorious, if not the political to and fro-ing over Covid testing. If you have suffered coronavirus symptoms or been track and traced you have probably tried to book a test. The system, set up so quickly, had proved pretty efficient so far, considering. But this week, under the immense pressure of a second spike and with conflicting messaging abounding, it’s started to seriously wobble. With some areas of Lancashire boasting the highest Covid rates and practically all rising, many are being encouraged to take a test.
Unfortunately, those trying to book in during the last few days may have been directed to Carlisle, Liverpool, Outer Mongolia or nowhere at all as it reached capacity.
It’s unlikely to be a coincidence this breaking point has been reached after the schools went back and cases started to emerge, as the labs struggle to cope with the volume. As infections skyrocketed, the pressures increased and now the government is having to make difficult decisions about prioritisation as it acknowledges what health Secretary Matt Hancock describes as ‘operational challenges’. Watch this space. We''ll keep you up to date. In the meantime, and as the cliche goes, stay safe and don't forget to take part in The Big Conversation and share the impact of Covid on your life. Regards, Nicola Adam Deputy Editor | 
