Testing in high-risk areas to be rolled out next month

COMMUNITY testing is set to get under way in coronavirus hot spots in Leicestershire next month.

The county council has announced plans are being finalised that will see “lateral flow test” pop-ups deployed in communities across the county with the highest rates.

The council has 16,000 new-style kits and can draw more from the government as required.

Mike Sandys, the council’s director of public health, said: “Our plans are progressing quickly and in parallel with the government’s community testing programme.

“Our plan will see new-style kits deployed where we are seeing the very highest rates, helping to break the chain of infection.

“This requires a lot of planning and we’re in the process of finalising the approach and logistics. We’re ready now to use the kits on a smallscale to help control outbreaks and, in early January, we aim to be able to deploy tests and teams to communities that need it most, and scale up the operation if required.”

Council leader Nick Rushton said: “Rates have dropped significantly over the past month, but we can’t let our guard down, especially with Christmas approaching and a potential third wave.

“When we need the community testing most, after Christmas, we’ll be ready to roll.”

The government announced a list of 67 Tier 3 areas where it will roll out community testing on Saturday.

Although Leicestershire is not on the list, the council has worked up its own plan without the need for government support.