Rapid community testing launches at leisure centre
MASS community Covid-19 testing was launched yesterday at Carlton Forum Leisure Centre.
Tests will be available to anyone not showing Covid symptoms. Around one in three people who test positive for the virus have no signs of illness.
The aim is to catch those who have coronavirus but are asymptomatic, meaning they can isolate rather than put others in the area at risk of catching the virus.
Rapid turnaround lateral flow tests provide results within an hour, and do not require a laboratory to process the test.
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke said: “We are very happy to be supporting the NHS with the opening of this site in Carlton.
“We hope that this facility will play an important role in reducing the number of people who are carrying the virus without knowing and spreading it to others.
“We will be using the centre ourselves and encouraging staff from our workforce who can’t work from home, such as refuse crews, to get tested.”
The new testing centre will work hand-in-hand with other sites located across the county which focus on testing those who have Covid-19 symptoms.
Health Minister Lord Bethell said: “We’ve already come so far since first setting up a national testing programme at an unprecedented pace to help counter Covid-19, but we continue to strive to go further, faster.
“I’m delighted that Gedling Borough Council is working with us roll out community testing in the borough and I look forward to seeing the results.”
Baroness Dido Harding, Interim
Executive Chair of the National Institute for Health Protection, said: “NHS Test and Trace continues to play a leading role in the fight against Covid-19.
“Increased community testing is a vital additional tool at our disposal to help identify those who are infected and infectious, but unaware that they might be spreading the disease. “The work of Gedling Borough Council in Gedling will be essential in driving down transmission rates.
“I urge all those living in areas where community testing is offered to come forward and get tested.”