Melton keyworker Covid test site set to open on Tuesday

We reported last week that it had been hoped the lateral flow testing centre would be opened this week but staff training is continuing to prepare for the opening.

The site will be for those people who haven’t got Covid symptoms but who work in a designated keyworker role or who cannot work from home.

Tests are self-administered and results will be available within 30 minutes and attendees can either hang around for their result or be notified by text message.

Leicestershire County Council public health director, Mike Sandys, told the Melton Times, the Polish Club test centre would open early next week, with Tuesday the likely day.

He said: “This is good news for Melton.

“It’s not a silver bullet but it adds an extra safeguard for people who may be worried about whether they have been exposed to the virus.

“There have been about 120 to 130 tests a day at our other keyworker sites in the county and we would expect a similar number to be carried out in Melton.

“They will get their result back in 30 minutes, whether you hang around or we text you the result.

“People have expressed reservations about the accuracy of these lateral flow tests but these will be useful.

“It’s like a fishing net when some fish still get through, but it’s still a good thing to add into the testing mix.”

County Hall aims to open keyworker rapid result testing sites in every district.

Centres have already opened six days a week in Wigston Fields, Blaby, Loughborough and Swannington Village Hall, with another at Hinckley due to open on Monday.

The county council say 2,660 people have so far been tested at those keyworker sites whcih are open with 44 testing positive despite having no symptoms.

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.

Nick Rushton, leader at County Hall, said: “Our programme of rapid testing for keyworkers is running smoothly and we are pleased with the speed with which we are managing to roll it out across the county.

“Our keyworkers have supported our communities throughout the pandemic and rapid testing will help protect them and their customers and colleagues by identifying cases and stopping further spread of coronavirus.”

Go to www.leicestershire.gov.uk/covidtest to book a rapid result test at the Polish Club if you are eligible to attend from next week.

The Melton Covid testing sites in the Burton Street and Scalford Road car parks continue to operate for people who have symptoms.