Home test kits provided after Melton Covid spike

The rapid result keyworker Covid test centre at the Polish Club in Melton EMN-210203-171207001The rapid result keyworker Covid test centre at the Polish Club in Melton EMN-210203-171207001
The rapid result keyworker Covid test centre at the Polish Club in Melton EMN-210203-171207001

Parents, carers and grandparents living in and around Melton can now pick up coronavirus home test kits from a local centre following a rise in cases.

Leicestershire County Council is making the kits available to people who live with, or are in regular contact with, young people at school or college.

A total of 56 cases of coronavirus were recorded across the district last week, increasing its rate to 109 for every 100,000 people, which is around double the national figure of 55.

Mike Sandys, the council’s director of public health, said: “We’re looking at relatively small numbers but this is a worrying rise.

“And we’re calling on Melton residents to redouble their efforts to bring cases back down.

“With some cases linked to work places, we’re urging those travelling to work to avoid car sharing and wear a face mask if they need to be in the same vehicle.

“And coronavirus continues to be transmitted in our communities too, so we’re also reminding people that ‘hands, face, space’ and good ventilation – making sure that windows are open where possible – as well as good hygiene at home and isolating immediately, are still vital in helping to stop the spread.

“Getting tested if you live with school-age children is another step you can take – and by making them available to collect from Melton, we’ve made it easier for people to do this at home.”

Test kits are available from the community testing centre at the Polish Club in Melton - visit www.leicestershire.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/rapid-asymptomatic-testing to book a slot to pick one up.

The kits are already available from coronavirus test centres and can also be ordered online from the Government website – go to www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests to find out more.

They are part of the initial batch of around 2,500 boxes – around 18,000 test kits – delivered by the government and already available from a community testing centre in Blaby.