Hundreds have had rapid Covid tests at Melton’s Polish Club site

Keyworkers and those who are unable to work from home, and who have no symptoms, are invited to book an appointment at the Sandy Lane facility, which opened on February 9.

It is one of seven such sites across Leicestershire and County Hall revealed today (Monday) that 13,000 tests have now been carried out at them in a bid to limit further spread of the virus.

A total of 153 people have tested positive for Covid-19 – despite having no symptoms - and positive tests have been recorded at every one of the district testing locations.

Now schools have reopened with a gradual relaxation of lockdown restrictions, twice-weekly tests at the sites are also now open to households and bubbles of school pupils and staff.

County council leader, Nick Rushton, said: “Rapid testing of those without symptoms is a vital part of the fight against Covid-19 and the fact that we have seen over 150 people test positive despite having no symptoms proves just how important it is.

“The fact that those 153 people tested positive and then went into self-isolation, saved many more people in Leicestershire becoming infected.

“Without the lateral flow tests, these people would have been completely unaware they had the virus and could have gone on to spread it to work colleagues, family and the wider public.

“It has been good to see so many people attending regularly for testing and I would urge others to do the same.

“I’d also like to thank all the staff who are working so hard to ensure that our testing sites run smoothly and efficiently.”

As well as the Melton site, there is testing being done at centres in Wigston, Blaby, Swannington, Loughborough, Hinckley and Market Harborough.

One in three people who have coronavirus show no symptoms and rapid lateral flow testing, led by the council’s public health team, can help to quickly identify individuals and stop the spread of infection.

The lateral flow tests are self-administered and participants can leave the site straight after they’ve taken their swab. Results are sent out by text or email by the end of that day. Sites are open 6 days each week.

Anyone in the Melton borough who has symptoms of coronavirus can book an appointment at the testing centre in the Burton Street car park in Melton.

Go to www.leicestershire.gov.uk/covidtest to book a test at the Polish Club or at the Burton Street site.