COVENTRY’S seven community testing sites have doubled up as home testing collection sites now schools have returned to face-to-face teaching.
Households with children of all ages from nursery to college students can collect kits from these sites operated by Coventry City Council across the city.
This voluntary testing is only for people without Covid-19 symptoms in line with the government’s roadmap out of national restrictions, according to the council. Anyone who has been told to self-isolate or is showing symptoms of Covid-19 should not attend a collection site.
Community collect also includes households in childcare and support bubbles, and those with school staff and adults working in the wider school community, such as supply teachers, bus drivers and after school club leaders.
Liz Gaulton, Director of public health at Coventry City Council, said: “Seeing everyone return to face-to-face learning is an important step on the journey towards the easing of lockdown restrictions.
“We know that around one in three people with coronavirus do not have symptoms but can still pass it on to others, which is why it’s crucial we support regular Covid-19 testing for people without symptoms, to help keep our educational settings, staff and families in Coventry safe.”
Each kit contains seven tests and individuals can collect up to two boxes (14 tests) per visit. They can be collected by anyone 18 or over from any of the seven sites at any point during the day, seven days a week and no booking is required.
If an eligible person is unable to collect test kits or go for a test at one of the community testing sites, they can order a home test kit online.
Leader of the Council, Coun George Duggins said: “Regular testing will ensure we can detect positive cases within households quickly, break chains of infection, and prevent the virus from spreading.
“I urge anyone who is eligible to take part in this free, voluntary scheme, to help keep themselves and others safe and well.”
Each test kit comes with full instructions for use and explains what to do if your test result is positive, negative or void, and how to register your result with NHS Test and Trace.
Anyone that tests positive at home will need to isolate and book a follow-up PCR test as soon as possible.
Opening hours for collection at the centres are Monday – Friday: 8am to 6.30pm; and Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 3pm.
Anyone with any of the main Covid symptoms should not attend a community test site, but instead seek a test by dialling 119 or by visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus.
