Second lateral flow testing centre opens in Corby

A second community lateral flow device testing centre has opened at the Hazelwood Neighbourhood Centre in Corby

This second site has been added in Corby to support employers, employees and residents to seek out regular and accessible testing in order to reduce the spread of the virus.

Lateral flow device testing is otherwise known as rapid testing, and is used in people who do not have symptoms of Covid-19.

The aim is to identify the one in three people who may be infectious without being aware, in order to reduce spread of the virus.

Rapid testing enables swift action to be taken to protect colleagues and family members of those who test positive with Covid-19 and to reduce any onward risk of transmission.

The new site will be open Monday to Friday from 3pm to 6.45pm, providing extra capacity on Mondays in particular and during weekday evenings.

Each test involves a swab of the mouth and nose and provides a result within 30 minutes.

Testing slots must be booked online in advance using this web link https://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates/Pages/covid-19-community-based-testing.aspx

Priority is given to workers in the following sectors:

- Health or social care

- Transportation

- Education or childcare (if not receiving regular rapid tests via the workplace)

- Essential shop, supermarkets or financial services

- Food production or processing

- Warehousing, packing or distribution

- Essential public sector services including waste, bin collections, security etc

- Construction, utilities or communications

- Agency workers

It is advisable for people working in these sectors to take up the opportunity to get tested on a weekly basis to help to reduce the spread of the virus.

It is important to note that a negative test result is not an absolute guarantee that you do not have Covid-19.

Therefore, you must still carry out thorough and regular hand washing, maintain 2 metre social distancing from those you do not live with and wear face coverings where required to do so.

Dr Rhosyn Harris, consultant in public health at Northamptonshire County Council, said: “We are delighted to be launching our second community lateral flow device testing site in Corby.

"We all know Corby continues have higher case rates than other areas in the country, and LFD testing gives us another tool with which to fight the virus.

"Case rates are reducing in Corby and we hope that the additional resource will help to keep that downward trend in case rates.

“We know from our existing sites that regular testing of those without symptoms helps us identify a number of positive cases and cut the transmission by isolating those individuals.

"It also provides workforces with some reassurance that workers are less likely to transmit the virus without knowing.”

To read more about Corby's first lateral flow testing centre which opened at Lodge Park sports centre earlier this year, click here.

For more information on lateral flow device testing and guidance on how to book a testing slot, visit https://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates/Pages/covid-19-

community-based-testing.aspx

If you do have COVID-19 symptoms, please do not use these sites, call 119 or visit https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.

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