A 24/7 coronavirus lab has processed 4 million tests since its launch at the start of the pandemic.
The Alderley Park Lighthouse Lab was set up in April as part of the government’s effort to scale up testing nationally.
The Cheshire laboratory forms part of the largest diagnostic testing facility in British history.
It is now capable of processing 50,000 tests each day, according to bosses at the facility.
The lab - which is operated by Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) - collects samples from across the country in a bid to allow frontline staff back to work.
Professor Chris Molloy, CEO of MDC, says the achievement is a major milestone in six months of hard work and the epitome of a “can-do” attitude.
The scientists, who led the formation of the national Lighthouse Labs network, said: “The Alderley Lighthouse was home – day and night - to an army of 300 volunteers from across the region who answered the call to action when it was stood up in April this year.
“We now have a team of over 400 contract staff at the Alderley Lighthouse, many of whom are at the beginning of their careers and receiving excellent training and supervision.
“Passing four million tests - 1million of them in the last month - has been a monumental achievement, demonstrating the quality, determination and sense of purpose of our staff in coming together to help the country in this time of adversity.
MDC runs the Lighthouse Lab at Alderley Park on a not-for-profit basis following a request from the Department for Health to rapidly expand Covid-19 testing.
The lab processes 40,000 samples daily from regional test centres, mobile test units, care homes and home-testing kits.
Prof Molloy added: “I wish to thank our teams of today and earlier in the year behalf of the four million people whose lives they have touched through their dedication and hard work.”
