A THURROCK distribution hub could become an epicentre for a game-changing home test in the battle against coronavirus.

Amazon, which has a huge regional fulfilment centre in Tilbury employing thousands of people, is poised to become the distributor for millions of 15-minute home coronavirus tests.

The home test, which looks like a pregnancy test, involves pricking a finger to produce a drop of blood, which is then analysed by the device.

Amazon has agreed to carry out distribution and the tests are also set to go on sale in chemist shops.

It is not yet clear when distribution might begin but it appears to be soon.

During his daily briefing yesterday (Wednesday, 25 March) PM Boris Johnson said the government were looking to make tests available when they could. "We will do it as soon as possible," he said. "We are massively ramping up our testing programme."

The government's chief medical officer Chris Whitty added they needed to be certain the tests worked before they could be made available.

He said: "The key thing for us to do is evaluate – are these tests accurate enough to be used by the general public?

"If they are incredibly accurate, we will work out the quickest way to release them."

The tests would, he said, "completely transform what we can do."

If it happens the kits are set to be available on the high street through chemists or for Amazon delivery to people self-isolating, according to Public Health England.