MORE than 100 critical workers have been tested for Covid-19 at a new centre in Wokingham this week.
The centre, which opened at the Wokingham Borough Council offices in Shute End this week, offers lateral flow tests, which provide results in around 30 minutes.
The tests are being offered to asymptomatic critical workers who live or work in Wokingham, but all appointments must be booked in advance.
The tests are available to a range of workers, including health and social care staff, police officers, firefighters, construction workers, delivery drivers, supermarket workers and nursery staff.
READ MORE: Covid-19 testing centre will open at Thames Valley Park
“It’s part of our effort to make sure we slow the spread of Covid-19,” said Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for health.
“We had 100 people through yesterday and there are more than 400 bookings for the rest of the week.
“The service is open from 8am to 4pm six days a week – Monday to Saturday.”
He added: “What we’re asking people is they must commit to coming down at least once a week, ideally twice.
“Lateral flow testing is useless if you only do it once.
“Book in online, you’ll be given an appointment and the result will come back within 30 minutes, telling you if you are or are not carrying Covid-19.”
READ MORE: Rapid Covid-19 tests offered to key workers with no symptoms
The council now is planning to open a second testing centre in Thames Valley Park next week and a third in Sindlesham, so it can test 800 people a day.
Funding for the centres has been provided by the Department for Health.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here