Another site where Bracknell Forest's most at-risk workers can be tested for coronavirus has opened in Sandhurst.
Sandhurst Memorial Hall, is one of five community testing sites used to target essential workers who are not already being tested and who are required to leave home for work or a crucial activity.
The initiative will enable the testing of those workers who are showing no signs of coronavirus symptoms (known as asymptomatic).
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In turn, this will help to slow the spread of Covid-19 as anyone who is uninfected but unaware of it will be told to self-isolate.
Essential workers can now get tested at one of three community testing sites in the borough.
These are:
- Sandhurst Memorial Hall
- Great Hollands Pavilion
- Bracknell
- Brownlow Hall
- Warfield
- Morgan Centre, Crowthorne.
The council will contact essential workers who are deemed suitable for community testing.
Testing will be done twice a week with a three to four-day gap in between tests.
According to government data, around one in three people who have COVID-19 have no symptoms and will be spreading it without realising it.
Lateral Flow Testing will be used at the community testing centres. This type of test delivers results within 30 minutes.
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If workers test positive, they and their close contacts should isolate at home immediately.
Councillor Paul Bettison OBE, Leader of Bracknell Forest Council and Chairman of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board, said: “The new testing site at Sandhurst is part of our ongoing programme to bring testing to our community. Our number one priority is to keep residents as safe and well as possible and bring down our case rates. These community testing centres are a vital way for us to identify those who could, unknowingly, be spreading the virus. This not only helps to protect our community but also help to protect local businesses from outbreaks within their workforce.
“If you are eligible for community testing due to your job, please do come forward and get your twice weekly tests. By regularly testing those who are at greatest risk of having and spreading the virus without knowing it, we are reducing the risk of transmission and helping to safeguard our loved ones and borough from the virus.”
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