Responding to the latest figures from NHS Test and Trace, the director of policy and strategy of NHS Providers, Miriam Deakin, said:

"Over the festive period we have seen a 24% increase in the number of positive cases of COVID-19 across the country, which is a cause for real concern. Despite a slight improvement to the turnaround times for Pillar 2 testing, the percentage of people receiving results within 24 hours still remains very low.

"The increase in positive cases and the corresponding rise in close contacts in the last few weeks, shows how crucial it is for everyone to adhere to the lockdown rules and public health measures to prevent further spread of infections.

"Trusts are under great pressure from rising COVID-19 hospital admissions and we must continue, even over the difficult weeks ahead, to strive for an effective testing regime for the public – with quicker turnaround in results.

"The testing system must also maintain capacity to cope with regular staff testing over the coming weeks and months. Sickness absence due to COVID is rising and trusts need to ensure all COVID-19 free staff are able to get back to work as soon as possible to deliver care during this challenging period."