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The rich and famous appear to be bypassing Government rules by paying hundreds of pounds for private coronavirus tests.

After being refused NHS testing, more than 2,000 stars, as well as members of the nobility and Britain's business elite have splashed out on £375 home kits to check if they have the potentially deadly disease.

Around 60 firms have ordered the tests made by a Harley Street clinic for all employees, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Public Health England confirmed this week that only those with symptoms so severe they would need immediate hospital treatment would receive a free test on the NHS.

(Image: Google)

Many people had been left puzzled as to how TV and film stars, athletes and politicians had been tested positive when they don't meet the criteria - and in some cases had no symptoms.

Harley Street Clinic medical director Dr Mark Ali then revealed the central London clinic had developed the new purchasable test, having worked alongside a "large laboratory" in northern England.

The doctor told The Telegraph people are "worried sick" and with many being refused a test after contacting 111, had turned to his clinic, which launched the kit last week.

"We have private individuals – there are some recognisable names there – and we are testing lords and ladies, knights, and even doctors and dentists who are worried about catching the disease," he continued.

Dr Ali said with the NHS having admitted it "doesn't have capacity" to test everyone, the new pricey product is needed to put people's minds at ease.

Buyers fill in an online test before the tests arrive via post, with two samples taken from the nose and throat then sent back to the lab before results are sent back digitally in three days.

The NHS is informed of any people who test positively to ensure they have access to the correct treatments, as well help health bosses keep abreast of the spread of the virus.

Mr Ali said there are many reasons why people are keen to know if they have the virus, with no clear message on how long the epidemic is likely to last in the UK.

He used the example of an elderly couple who are unsure if they can visit their parents, while students in England want to know if they are safe to return to South Asia.

On top of that, businesses employing a large number of people want to "know the state of play" and avoid letting down customers, he added.

The Government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance has called for the level of testing to be increased, voicing concern over the lack of "mass testing available for the population now".

He added that Public Health England is looking at certain privately sold tests "to see which of them work" and whether they could be used to increase the general level of testing.