A CITY library could be converted into a mass testing centre as part of new Covid plans for the county.

The Hive in Worcester has been eyed up as a potential spot for Covid testing in the city, according to a county councillor, as well as two other sites in Pershore and Bromsgrove.

A county virus update, shared by Bromsgrove councillor Shirley Webb on Monday (January 18), said three major sites including the Hive in Worcester as well as Pershore Leisure Centre and Rylands Leisure Centre in Bromsgrove were being “progressed” as testing sites.

The three potential testing sites were mentioned in a list of thirty bullet points outlining the current Covid situation including infection rates, case numbers as well as an overview of care homes and vaccinations.

Worcestershire County Council would not confirm whether the Hive, or any of the other rumoured locations, was due to be used as a testing centre and said it is looking at various sites to be used as test centres.

A spokesman for the council said: “We are looking at a number of different sites across the county that could accommodate community testing facilities but nothing has been confirmed at this stage.

“Further details will be issued once we have confirmation of locations for these new testing facilities.”

The city’s coronavirus infection rate remains the highest in the county according to the latest figures with the city seeing 687.6 cases per 100,000 people in the week up to January 14 with 696 cases recorded during the seven days.

The rate in Worcester dropped by around eight per cent, according to Public Health England, compared to the previous week’s figures. Worcestershire’s infection rate was 535.9 cases per 100,000 people in the week up to January 14 with 3,193 cases recorded during the week.