Locally led testing for people without coronavirus symptoms is set to be rolled out across Warwickshire in the next few weeks with the aim of protecting those most at risk, using rapid testing to speed up the process.
The first test centre in the county will be opening on Tuesday 8 December at Water Orton Community Hall. Fast-turnaround lateral flow test kits supplied by NHS Test and Trace will be used for testing in a bid to identify undiagnosed cases and stop people unwittingly spreading the virus.
The first test centre, which is being delivered in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care, Warwickshire County Council, North Warwickshire Borough Council, and a network including volunteers, aims to help us work towards returning life to as normal as possible.
People of all ages without symptoms of Covid-19 are invited to book a test by visiting https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/water-orton-covid-community-testing-31912199569 The tests are available for booking between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. The service uses the fast turnaround lateral flow test kits, which can deliver results in around an hour.
Lateral flow antigen tests are a new kind of technology that can be used to test a higher proportion of people without symptoms, better enabling us to identify and isolate more people who are at high likelihood of spreading virus and break the chains of transmission.