Rutland MP Alicia Kearns has urged residents to be tested for Covid-19, despite concerns from a government adviser that such tests maybe inaccurate.

The MP said on Facebook yesterday: "I had a lateral flow test at Rutland County Council today. It was easy, simple, and not too much trouble at all.

"The Government has made sure that every person in the UK is able to have two lateral flow tests a week. These tests help break the chain of transmission and allows communities to identify asymptomatic individuals. I can't stress enough how important these tests are to getting our rates down. Thank you to all the volunteers making this possible."

Earlier this week, an advisor to Health Secretary to Matt Hancock warned such lateral flow tests may be inaccurate .

Critics of the mass testing system as outlined by the government fear that the tests could inaccurately inflate the reports of Covid cases, possibly either delaying our release from lockdown or even leading to another one. People may also be forced for self-isolate after a false diagnosis.

The MP's comments on testing follows a progress report from Mrs Kearns about how Rutland and Harborough continue to drive rates of COVID-19 down, which she credits on "an exceptional vaccine campaign in Rutland and Melton."

However: "I am concerned that rates in Melton have risen this week, despite the fact that case rates in England have fallen by a fifth. I will continue to work with the NHS and Local Authorities to keep pushing rates down, and I urge everyone to follow the rules, get vaccinated when invited, and be safe."

Rate per 100,000 (percentage change from 7 days ago)

Melton: 62.5 (+6.7 per cent)

Harborough: 11.7 (-31.2 per cent)

Vaccinations:

Rutland and Melton First Dose Total as of 11 April: 59,843