Hundreds of ‘hidden’ cases are discovered

NEARLY 600 “hidden” cases of Covid-19 have so far been found at the mass testing centres set up across Derbyshire.

Since the first community testing centre opened in Swadlincote in December, more than 48,000 tests have been carried out on county residents.

The sites, which are for people not showing coronavirus symptoms, have so far recorded 587 positive cases among those who are asymptomatic. This means 1.2 per cent of all the tests carried out have been positive.

Once people are identified, they are advised to isolate to avoid spreading the condition.

The cases have been found at test sites in Swadlincote, Heanor, Long Eaton, Matlock, Clay Cross, Chesterfield, Buxton, New Mills, and Bolsover.

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.”

A further 10,066 tests on people who live outside the county have also been carried out, but Derbyshire County Council does not receive their results.