COVID-19 testing: Is demand outstripping supply?

The days are getting shorter in Europe, but in some countries the wait to get a coronavirus test is getting longer.

It's raising concerns, with spikes in cases, and fears of a big second wave of the virus in the winter.

The United Kingdom is having among the most acute problems.

This week the UK government promised to do whatever it takes to boost laboratory capacity, which has left thousands struggling to get a test.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised in May to create a "world-beating" system to test and trace people exposed to the virus.

But Reuters has seen hundreds lining up waiting hours for tests, such as here in the town of Southend-on-Sea.

Some said they'd been trying to get tested for four days.

The government says fixing the system would take weeks, and it's not alone.

Other major European countries have also had hiccups.

Germany introduced free tests for returning travellers this summer on concerns over rising infection numbers.

But it backtracked only a few weeks later as labs faced capacity constraints.

And a data blunder in Bavaria meant around 1,000 people with positive results weren't told.

France -- another one of those most badly hit right now -- is conducting around one million tests a week, according to its government.

But it's struggling to keep up with demand.

Long lines have been seen snaking outside testing centers in Paris.

Very few appointments are available for tests for several weeks in advance.