MALVERN Library is set to become the latest Rapid Covid Testing site to be opened in Worcestershire.
People living or working in the Malvern Hills area who don’t have any symptoms, will be able to book a free rapid Covid test, at Malvern Library, Graham Road, Malvern WR14 2HU between 10.30am and 4.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and between 10.30am and 3.30pm on Saturday.
Testing will be available for people with no symptoms aged 18 and over at Malvern Library from Friday March 12.
The aim of this testing is to help drive down transmission. One in three people who are infected with Covid-19 have no symptoms, so could be spreading the disease without knowing it.
Broadening testing to identify people without symptoms, means finding positive cases more quickly and breaking the chains of transmission.
Walk in appointments are available or a test can be pre-booked using this online booking link worcestershire.gov.uk/LateralFlowTesting
A new type of technology is used for rapid turnaround Covid tests. Results are provided within an hour as the devices used do not require a laboratory to process the test.
Dr Kathryn Cobain, Director of Public Health in Worcestershire said: “It’s great to see Malvern Library offering support to the local community by becoming the next rapid flow testing site.
"Everyone has been working so hard to get the number of cases of Covid-19 down. Now people in the Malvern area have another choice of where to get a rapid flow test.
"1 in 3 people with Coronavirus do not have any symptoms. Having one of these tests will help identify if you are one of these people. By self-isolating more quickly you will stop unknowingly passing it on to someone else.
"By doing this we are all helping to protect our family and loved ones, as well as our community.”
Hannah Perrott, Assistant Director for Communities, said: “We are delighted to be able to support our local community.
“Malvern Library offers a convenient new location for local people to get a free rapid flow test.
“Libraries remain open, throughout lockdown, to provide essential IT access for those without computers and internet at home, and to provide a Reserve and Collect service, so this gives people a great opportunity to get tested while visiting the library.”
Councillor John Smith, Cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing said: “I am so pleased that we are continuing to grow the number of opportunities across the county to get tested conveniently. Many people are unaware that they are spreading coronavirus and this rapid Covid testing will really help us to break the chains of transmission.”
Baroness Dido Harding, Interim Executive Chair of the National Institute for Health Protection, added: “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 local authorities 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.”
Other Rapid Covid Testing sites in Worcestershire are available at Pershore Leisure Centre, Redditch Town Hall, The Ryland Centre in Bromsgrove and Worcester Cathedral.See the website for opening times worcestershire.gov.uk/communitytesting
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