A THIRD of Covid testing capacity is unused despite fears the system is buckling, a Sun probe found.
Waits for results are getting longer and staff claim precious supplies are being shuttled between sites.
However, labs are running at only 70 per cent, according to latest Department of Health data.
It had the capacity to do 430,000 PCR tests outside of hospitals last week.
But, on average, just over 300,000 were done daily.
Meanwhile, the national test booking site yesterday reported “very few available” in parts, such as the South West and North East.
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Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said she fears the system will not cope with a “greater surge” in cases.
She claimed the national booking system is “being regularly switched off for hours at a time”.
But the PM’s spokesperson said: “There is no shortage of tests – we have significant capacity.”
