Stadium workers trained to give rapid Covid tests

BURTON Albion staff can now carry out lateral flow (rapid) tests for Covid-19 in a bid to help stop its spread.

Burton Albion Football Club and Burton Albion Community Trust workers have completed training to permit in-house lateral flow testing at the Pirelli Stadium in Princess Way.

The test is used for people without symptoms and aims to reduce the “R” rate, or rate of transmission for the disease, by breaking the chain of transmission. It is designed to be an opportunity to find more cases and isolate the close contacts of people who test positive more quickly.

Fleur Robinson, Burton Albion’s commercial director, said: “We’re grateful to Staffordshire County Council for enabling us to deliver this service to our workforce.

“It will help us to protect our staff and their families, as well as our business. It’s another great example of the football club and community trust working in collaboration - we’d also like to say a big thank you to all the staff that have become part of the testing team, and for helping to get the facility and testing up and running straight away.”

Dr Johnny Mcmahon, the council’s cabinet member for health, care and wellbeing, said: “It’s fantastic to see Burton Albion Football Club and the Burton Albion Community Trust joining Staffordshire’s community testing programme.

“Businesses and community groups of all sizes have a vital role to play in protecting their employees and the wider community.

“One in three people do not display any Covid-19 symptoms. Regular testing identifies asymptomatic cases which helps avoid large outbreaks and all the disruption that can bring.

“Testing stops people who do not think they have the virus unwittingly spreading it to work colleagues and potentially returning home and putting their own household members at risk.

“We are looking for more Staffordshire businesses to come forward.

“Getting involved is a straightforward process, with lots of support available along the way.”

Any other interested businesses who would like to join the testing programme are asked to contact Lftenquiries@staffordshire.gov. uk or submit an expression of interest at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/ coronavirus