Mass coronavirus testing for people without symptoms starts in Lancashire next week

Mass testing for coronavirus will be rolled out in Lancashire next week in a bid to identify asymptomatic carriers of the virus.
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The new testing programme, coordinated by the Lancashire Resilience Forum (LRF), is part of the government's national drive to continue to increase testing capability.

Known as a lateral flow test, the results can be given in around thirty minutes as they don’t need to be sent to a laboratory for testing.

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The LRF says more details will be announced in the coming days and weeks about how people can access these tests in the county.

The tests are not compulsory, but people are encouraged to get a test if offered one.The tests are not compulsory, but people are encouraged to get a test if offered one.
The tests are not compulsory, but people are encouraged to get a test if offered one.

The tests are not compulsory, but people are encouraged to take one if offered as up to a third of people may display no symptoms but are still infectious.

Angie Ridgwell, chair of the LRF said: "By testing people who aren’t showing symptoms, we can help to reduce the spread of infection in Lancashire. We’ll be increasing the number of tests over the coming weeks, as more venues become involved.

"Across Lancashire, our public sector organisations are working together to support and protect the public by reducing the spread of the virus. A lot of very complex work has already been taking place to understand the testing that we need, ahead of this programme being rolled out.

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"It is really important we continue to disrupt the virus, even though we now have a vaccine. It will take time to get everyone vaccinated and while that takes place we remain at risk of getting coronavirus."

The method of testing is similar to Liverpool, but will focus on working with communities and areas with high numbers of infections, in order to try to bring rates down and help the move Lancashire to a lower tier of restrictions.

A previous asymptomatic testing scheme in Preston finished in October with the closure of walk-in centres at Moor Park and the market.

If you have symptoms, you can book a free test by calling 119, book online at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or through the government's NHS Covid app: www.nhs.uk/apps-library/nhs-covid-19

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