Community Testing statement

Jonathan Gribbin Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire County Council said:

“We are pleased to learn that our bid to introduce targeted community testing using rapid testing kits known as lateral flow tests has been approved by the government. We can now press ahead with plans to pilot asymptomatic (those who can have COVID-19 but do not present any symptoms) testing to strengthen arrangements for test, trace and isolate in Nottinghamshire. We plan to have the infrastructure and arrangements in place to deliver this starting week beginning 25 January in Mansfield, and from early February for Worksop. The pilot is expected to last for 3 months and will involve people being tested once a week.

“The communities that we have identified to benefit first are Bellamy Road, Ladybrook and Oak Tree areas in Mansfield and the Manton and Sandy Lane areas of Worksop. We have identified these communities because they have a high proportion of working age residents and those who are unable to work from home. We want to make sure that they have easy access to testing and support if they need to self-isolate.

“We recognise that isolating when you cannot work from home is a challenge for many, but the more people who access the testing, the better the chance we have to identify people who need to isolate to prevent spread of the virus. Achieving this will support local people, schools and jobs because it will help us to reach the point when the strictest restrictions can be safely relaxed. Locations for the delivery of testing will be confirmed and publicised in due course.

Whilst testing is a valuable tool in the fight against the virus, it is not a substitute for continuing to follow the basic rules of Hands, Face and Space. It is particularly important that everyone receiving a negative test result continues to follow all of these rules.

“We will use the lessons we can draw from this pilot and from the lessons emerging from other areas of the country to shape plans for introducing testing elsewhere in the county. For example, we are currently exploring options to work with a large employer to consider how testing employees on-site can benefit whole workforces.”

About rapid testing:

A lateral flow test delivers a result in about 30 minutes. The test involves people taking a swab of their throat and nose and takes only a matter of seconds. Once the swab is taken, it is handed back to the testing official who will complete the process and then confirm the results. People testing positive are required to self-isolate for 10 days.

Self-isolation means you should:

  • stay at home
  • not go to work, school or public places
  • not use public transport or taxis
  • ask friends, family members or delivery services to do errands for you
  • avoid visitors to your home - it's OK for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off items but these should be left outside, and you should avoid making physical contact

Asymptomatic people are those who can have COVID-19 but do not present any symptoms.

 

Published on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council

Published: January 12th 2021