Over 6000 people have taken a lateral flow – or rapid results – test at one of five community testing centres in Mansfield, Worksop and Ashfield, to check whether they have covid-19, even though they haven’t had symptoms. As many as one in three people with covid-19 do not have any symptoms.
Community testing helps to identify these people, helping them to isolate and making sure they have access to the support that is available. Around 1% of those who have taken the test have had a positive result, without being aware they had the virus.
Community testing is aimed at those people whose work means that they cannot work from home and need to leave home and travel to work on a regular basis. Most of those who have been tested work in manufacturing or construction, with other people employed in education and council services.
The community testing sites have been running successfully in Mansfield and Worksop since 2 February, a new site has gone live today in Sutton in Ashfield, and three more sites are being set up in Newark, Carlton and Stapleford over the next two weeks.
Jonathan Gribbin, Director of Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council said:
“Community testing is a useful tool in enabling us to identify people who have Covid-19, but who are without symptoms so that information and support can be provided to help them isolate. Doing this reduces the spread of infection.
“We are very pleased with the numbers of people who do not have symptoms and are coming forward for testing. Many of them have said that they know it is the right thing to do for their community. I want to acknowledge that and thank them. With eight sites up and running by the end of February, we will be able to offer this facility to more people who have to leave home for work.
“There are many people who cannot work from home and regular community testing will enable them to know if they are infectious or not, and act accordingly. These tests are quick, with results available in around 30 minutes.
“It is still important to remember that, along with everyone else, people receiving the vaccine or who test negative should continue to follow every aspect of the lockdown and Hands, Face, Space rules.”
The testing sites are open five days a week and opening times – which range between 7am and 7pm – vary by site (please see website for details).
Sites currently open:
– Mansfield Football Club
– Oaktree Leisure Centre, Mansfield
– Manton Sports Club, Worksop
– Crown Place Community Centre, Worksop
– Lammas Leisure Centre, Sutton in Ashfield
Opening this week:
– Newark Leisure Centre
Opening week commencing 22 February:
– Carlton Leisure Centre
– Stapleford Library
People who have symptoms of Covid-19 should not go to a community testing site, but book a test through the Government website or call 119.
For more information, visit our community testing webpage which lists links to each district operating a community testing site.
