THERE are now more places for people without symptoms to get a free, rapid Covid-19 test in Worcestershire.

Lateral flow testing, in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care, will be available to residents at Pershore Leisure Centre and Redditch Town Hall, to help drive down transmission rates. It is believed around one in three people with Covid-19 will have no symptoms.

Testing will be available for people with no symptoms aged 18 and over, at Pershore Leisure Centre from Saturday, January 30 and at Redditch Town Hall from Tuesday, February 2.

Appointments must be pre-booked using this online booking link https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/LateralFlowTesting

Rapid-turnaround lateral flow tests are a new type of technology, which provide results within an hour, and will be used to proactively test people who do not have symptoms - in a bid to stop people passing on the virus inadvertently. Lateral flow devices do not require a laboratory to process the test.

Dr Kathryn Cobain, director for Public Health in Worcestershire, said: “I am really pleased that lateral flow testing is becoming more available within the county. This testing will help to detect individuals who are positive for Covid-19 without symptoms which will ultimately lead to less spread of the virus”.

Councillor John Smith, cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing added: “Bringing more testing facilities online will make it more convenient and easier for people like our key workers to regularly get a test.

“Weekly testing is crucial in managing the spread of this virus. By identifying positive cases earlier, we can protect our community and break the chain of transmission.”

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 Worcestershire County Council in Worcestershire 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.”