Rapid testing site to open next week
A new rapid Covid-19 testing site will open in a town next week to help protect essential and other workers who cannot work from home.
The new centre in Wem will be located at Stanier Hall, Thomas Adams School, and will open on Monday.
The tests are for people without symptoms and should be repeated every three to five days to quickly identify and isolate those who may not know they are infectious.
Shropshire Council's public health department said up to a third of people who test positive for Covid-19 have no symptoms at all, so it is important to test people without symptoms to identify the cases.
The tests rapidly turn around results within an hour without the need for processing the swabs in a lab.
Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said: “Community testing has a big role to play in driving infection rates down, but it only works as part of a whole suite of measures including effective contact tracing, following the guidance around socialising and self-isolation, and the rollout of the vaccines.
“Getting tested doesn’t mean people can stop social distancing, wearing face coverings or washing their hands, but it does help to make the activities they are undertaking safer.
“People who come to be tested will be given one of the rapid lateral flow tests which give results in about 30 minutes.”
Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care, public health and climate change, said: “I know and appreciate the efforts everyone is making to be responsible and to try and prevent the spread of the virus. But it is now more important than ever for us all to follow the national guidance to keep the rates down, and our loved ones safe.
“These rapid tests will help our frontline workers to get tested regularly. Those testing positive can take immediate action and self-isolate – reducing the impact on the wider community.”
Booking is open via – http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/lfdpublictesting/
