New coronavirus testing lab to open in Berkshire

A new covid testing lab is set to open in Berkshire, it has been revealed.

The government has revealed the Lighthouse Lab will open at the Bracknell Urgent Care Centre in Brants Bridge.

No details have been given as to when it might open, but it hoped it will be able to process 40,000 tests a day by February 2021.

It is one of four new labs being opened by the Department of Health and Social Care to "increase capacity by tens of thousands".

Councillors in Reading have also raised fears over potential school closures if testing isn't improved.

Find out how you can get the latest news from BerkshireLive delivered straight to your inbox.

A letter from Reading Borough Council to the government says: "Without adequate testing capacity in place, teaching staff and pupils are being forced to isolate for 14 days whenever there is any suspicion of a case.

"This will continue to put enormous pressure on already exhausted staff at a time when they are dealing with many additional demands, including understandable parental anxiety."

More cases have been reported across Berkshire on Thursday, September 18, with Bracknell Forest seeing seven new cases.