Rapid community testing initiative to launch in Mansfield

Oak Tree Leisure Center Image
Oak Tree Leisure Centre

A community testing initiative is to launch in Mansfield to drive down transmission rates and help protect people most at risk, using rapid turnaround tests supplied by NHS Test and Trace.

The community testing initiative, in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care, is launching at Oak Tree Leisure Centre in Mansfield on Tuesday 26 January and Mansfield Town Football Club’s One Call Stadium on Thursday 28 January to help drive down transmission rates.

Around one in three people who are infected with COVID-19 have no symptoms so could be spreading the disease without knowing it. Broadening testing to identify those showing no symptoms will mean finding positive cases more quickly, and break chains of transmission. With its targeted approach, community testing aims to reduce the prevalence of the virus in the highest risk areas.

Mansfield has received lateral flow tests as part of a new pilot to enable local public health leaders to start testing in targeted areas – Ladybrook, Oak Tree and Bellamy wards, as these have a high proportion of people of working age who are unable to work from home.

Testing will be available for asymptomatic individuals aged 18-65 years who live and work in these wards. No appointments are needed.

The opening hours are:

Oak Tree Leisure Centre: From 26 January - Tuesdays to Saturdays from 7am to 3pm. 

One Call Stadium: From 28 January - Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9am to 7pm and Sundays from 10am to 2pm.

There is free parking at both sites. Please avoid using public transport in case you later test positive. For more information about testing, visit the council website (link opens in new window).

In the coming weeks the community testing will be expanded to target people who work in key industries such as retail, food production and distribution, manufacturing and others that are permitted to open during lockdown, before being expanded further to anyone aged 18-65 living or working in the district.

All efforts to find people without symptoms work hand in hand with the existing free testing service for those with symptoms. Anyone with one or more of these symptoms – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – should book a test online at the NHS website (link opens in new window) or by calling 119.

There is a Local Testing Site (LTS) for people who have symptoms of COVID-19, which is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm at:

Mansfield Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, NG19 7BH. You must book an appointment before attending this site for a test.

Executive Mayor of Mansfield Andy Abrahams said: “The council is keen to do everything it can to facilitate efforts to drive down infection rates. By working with our partners to bring community testing to Mansfield we can help our residents to protect themselves and their loved ones and lower the rate of infection.

“Community testing doesn’t work on its own so it’s vital that we all keep following the national lockdown restrictions in addition to the Hands, Face, Space guidance.

“I would urge everyone who has the opportunity to get a rapid test to take it and keep showing the amazing community spirit we have seen in Mansfield throughout the pandemic.”

Jonathan Gribbin, Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire, said: “We know that around one in three people have the virus but do not have any symptoms, so they could be spreading the disease without knowing. Community testing is designed to identify those who have no symptoms but are positive, particularly people who are in jobs that don’t allow them to work from home.

"Testing will enable us to ensure that the necessary advice and support can be put in place so we can to break the chain of transmission.

"Whilst this testing is an additional tool we can use to help drive transmission down, it is still vitally important that everyone in our communities continue to stay at home unless it’s essential to leave the house, and to practice Hands – Face – Space rules whenever they do.”

Health Minister Lord Bethell said: “We’ve already come so far since first setting up a national testing programme at an unprecedented pace to help counter COVID-19, but we continue to strive to go further, faster.

“Around one in three people have the virus without symptoms so could be spreading the disease without knowing it. Broadening testing to identify those showing no symptoms will mean finding positive cases more quickly, and break chains of transmission.

“I’m delighted that Mansfield District Council is working with us roll out community testing in Mansfield, and I look forward to seeing the results.”

Baroness Dido Harding, Interim Executive Chair of the National Institute for Health Protection, said: “NHS Test and Trace continues to play a leading role in the fight against COVID-19. Increased community testing is a vital additional tool at our disposal to help identify those who are infected and infectious, but unaware that they might be spreading the disease.

“The work of Mansfield District Council in Mansfield will be essential in driving down transmission rates. I urge all those living in areas where community testing is offered to come forward and get tested."

Published: January 21st 2021