To ask the Minister of Health (i) to detail the average number of calls to the 119 COVID-19 test hotline in the last four weeks; (ii) how many tests have been booked; and (iii) whether he plans to increase the number of testing centres, including mobile units.

The COVID-19 helpline (119) is managed by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) England as part of the National Testing Programme. DHSC has advised that data pertaining to the number of calls made to the helpline is not currently in the public domain and they are unable to share management information in relation to the service at this time.

Total number of tests booked in Northern Ireland can be found on the DoH dashboard at: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-db-170921.pdf

Testing capacity in Northern Ireland has increased significantly through our participation in the National Testing Programme. Currently there are five fixed regional test sites, ten walk-through test sites and fifteen mobile testing units (MTUs) operating in Northern Ireland. There are also Home and Satellite test kit options. Information on COVID-19 testing locations can be found on the PHA website at: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/testing-and-tracing-covid-19/testing-covid-19

Overall testing capacity is continually reviewed by my Department.