RUTHLESS sellers are cashing on the Covid test shortage by flogging kits online for as much as £100.
The tests have found their way on to Facebook and eBay for a price – despite being free to Brits.
Some have even popped up at an auction house in Stockport as the shortage grips the UK, MEN reports.
Simon Charles Auctioneers and Valuers had four job lots of tests due to go under the hammer this week.
Each contained up to 20 kits – with bids of around £5 already floating around as revellers tried to grab one before last night’s New Year celebrations.
Other “unused and sealed” tests have appeared on Facebook for as much as £100.
One shameless user was slammed for trying to flog the kits on social media for £5 each.
Posting on the Didsbury M20 group, they wrote: “12 lateral flow tests for sale. £5 per box but will do deal for more than 1.”
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But a user blasted: “You should be giving these away for free to people that need them not hoarding them for your own selfish gain!”
Another said: “How shameful of you. There is a shortage of these tests”.
The Health Secretary Sajid Javid revealed this week how a global shortage of lateral flow and PCR tests was impacting the UK.
But desperate Brits flocked to test sites and pharmacies to make sure their New Year’s plans could still go ahead.
There were fears the festivities would be cancelled as Omicron continues to rage across Britain.
The shortage in tests comes as experts have urged ministers to slash isolation time as some say that we need to ‘learn to live with the mild virus’.
The Omicron variant – which is now responsible for 90 per cent of cases in the UK, is causing cold-like symptoms in most people.
A string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.
Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits’ arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
Facebook said they do not allow the sale of Covid tests and will “remove posts attempting to sell them” when made aware.
An eBay spokesperson said: “COVID-19 tests are banned for sale on eBay.
“We condemn anyone attempting to re-sell COVID tests provided by the NHS.
“We have filters in place to block these tests from making it onto the platform, and our policy team also regularly monitors for these items and any that do make it on site are immediately removed.”
The Sun Online has contacted Simon Charles Auctioneers and Valuers.
