MP welcomes rapid virus testing

A VALLEY MP has welcomed the announcement that the area will benefit from enhanced community testing as part of the Government’s COVID Winter Plan.

Sixty-seven local authorities – including Rossendale council – in Tier 3 areas are set to benefit.

Known as a Lateral Flow Test, the results can be given in around 30 minutes, as they don’t need to go to a laboratory for testing.

This method of testing is similar to Liverpool, but will focus on working with communities and areas with high numbers of infections, in order to try to bring our rates down and help the move to a lower tier of restrictions. Wider public testing is planned later.

Tests are not compulsory, but people are encouraged to one if offered one.

Haslingden MP Sara Britcliffe said:

“Although we are making fantastic progress with the rollout of the vaccine, we cannot become complacent about the threat posed by Covid-19.

“This extra community testing is a really effective tool to break the chain of transmission and drive down the infection rate.

“I have long-called for mass-testing for Hyndburn and Haslingden and I am delighted to see our area on the list.”

The new testing programme is being co-ordinated by the Lancashire Resilience Forum (LRF), and involves logistics support from the army.

Angie Ridgwell, chair of the LRF, said: “By testing people who aren’t showing symptoms, we can help to reduce the spread of infection in Lancashire.

“We’ll be increasing the number of tests over the coming weeks, as more venues become involved.”