Testing centres find hundreds of ‘hidden’ cases
SOUTH DERBYSHIRE FACILITIES DISCOVER 26O POTENTIAL COVID SPREADERS
HUNDREDS of “hidden” Covid cases have been uncovered in South Derbyshire.
The cases have emerged at the district’s community testing centres, which have been testing people who do not have symptoms.
Centres have been set up in Gresley Old Hall; Grove Hall, Swadlincote; and at Midway Community Centre.
A total of 19,485 people have been tested at the facilities, which were set up to tackle high levels of covid in the area.
And 260 of those people who have taken a test so far have come back positive. They could potentially be spreading the virus without knowing it.
It comes as venues across Derbyshire have recorded 587 “hidden” cases from more than 48,000 tests conducted.
Dean Wallace, Derbyshire’s director of public health, said: “It has been a massive task to set these centres up in communities across the county, but to see that we have identified nearly 600 cases is a great step forward. Each one of these people who tested positive had no symptoms, so unbeknown to them they could have been spreading the virus to their families and work mates.
“By getting a regular test people are helping to stop the spread of coronavirus, and although the rate of infection is coming down, we still need to do more.
“I’d urge anyone, and in particular those whose job means they are going out of the home to work, to get tested regularly.”
The county council has confirmed more centres will open in other parts of the county in the next few weeks.
Those attending community testing centres are asked not to bring bags or other items with them that they do not consider essential. But people are being asked to bring a fully charged smart phone if they have one.
Parents or guardians are asked to accompany those aged 11 to 16.
The rapid testing involves lateral flow tests, which are self-administered. There is around a 30-minute wait at a separate facility for a text or email to inform residents of their test results.
If the test is positive, a follow-up polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is carried out by test centre staff to ascertain whether the initial test is correct.
These tests take around 24 hours to receive a result, during which time the residents in question are told to start self-isolating, along with others in their household.
Details of their recent contacts and background information are also taken at the time of the second test, with residents directed to support services for financial assistance and health and wellbeing.