The number of Covid-19 tests carried out in Richmond has fallen, reflecting the shortage that is gripping the country.

In the week to last Friday, September 11, a total of 2,188 people were tested for the virus.

It had fallen to 1,909 people in the past seven days, it was announced today (Friday, September 18).

The figures were provided by Richmond Council leader Gareth Roberts in his weekly video address.

Yesterday the council said the regional drive-in testing centre at Twickenham Stadium will close at the end of the month.

Mr Roberts said the council was "working hard to try and find additional testing sites in the borough".

Read what he said in his latest two-minute address below or watch the video above.

Hello, these are the Covid-19 stats for Richmond upon Thames. Over the last seven days we have identified 34 new cases of the virus in the borough, bringing the total number of cases since March 2020 to 737.

We have seen no new deaths directly linked to Covid-19 in the borough. Therefore, since February, the total number of deaths directly linked stands at 153.

Over the last seven days we have tested 1,909 people with a positive return rate of 1.7% on those tests.

We know that testing is a problem - it's a national issue and we are working with the Department for Health to identify new testing centres.

But the government really does need to step up their game in both providing test centres and laboratory facilities to analyse those tests.

And we can help too. One way is by not applying for a test if we are not exhibiting symptoms.

We know that there is a large demand for tests for people who are not exhibiting symptoms and that is simply putting a strain on the system and stopping those people who do need tests from getting them.

And, of course, we can all make sure we are following the rules: washing our hands wherever possible, wearing a face mask when riding on public transport or visiting the shops, supermarkets and other indoor public spaces and maintaining a social distance of 2 metres wherever possible.

There is the new Rule of Six, so please avoid gathering indoors or outdoors in groups of more than six people.

If we follow the rules, we can try as best as we can to control the virus here in the borough. Thank you.

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