Negative Covid test 'not a free pass' to a virus-free Christmas says Barnsley health chief

Although Barnsley's infection rate has fallen to 188 per 100,000 people in the last seven days, this is still "too high,” according to Julia Burrows, Barnsley's director of public health.

She pleaded with the pubic not to let a negative test "give you a false sense of security."

Ms Burrows added: "I really want to make it clear that a single negative test pre-23 December is not a passport to a virus-free Christmas with your family and friends.

"If you are tested shortly after becoming infected but before the virus has reproduced enough copies of itself, a test could fail to detect the virus and produce a false negative result.

"You might also be in the early, undetectable stage of infection; or you might get infected after you took the test.

"We are still seeing pressure in the hospital and sadly 370 people have died of COVID-19 in the borough since March."

Ms Burrows added she hopes a programme of lateral flow tests will begin soon, after the Governemnt confirmed they will be launched in the borough.

"The lateral flow tests can give a result in around 30 minutes and there is real potential in using these tests in a variety of situations.

"We are proceeding cautiously as there is still emerging evidence about their use in practice, but they have the potential to become a useful tool in our management of the pandemic."

Lord Blunkett: ‘Disaster if Sheffield misses out on HS2’

Moor Market in £10,000 Christmas giveaway

Shoppers grab final bargains at Debenhams

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a digital or print subscription to The Star.

The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support.

Subscribe here www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.