A pilot scheme of rapid testing for Covid-19 is taking place across Cheshire East.
The tests use a new methodology known as Lateral Flow Testing, designed to deliver targeted and focused, rapid testing for people without typical symptoms.
The test takes 30 minutes to produce a result, sent via email and SMS confirmation within 45-60 minutes.
Cheshire East Council volunteered to take part in the pilot programme and through this received 10,000 test kits to trial across the borough.
The authority has chosen vulnerable groups and willing volunteers to take part in the trial.
Trials take place this week in the following six different pilot groups:
* Cheshire Fire Service – 300 Cheshire Fire employees are being tested to determine the right logistics and test frequency to protect front line staff. This could help to reduce the number of staff who may have to self-isolate
* Congleton High School – “Swab Squad” of trained testers are carrying out testing with a selected bubble, within a year 12 group, useful for the school through a reduction in pupils having to self-isolate
* Springfield High School – Rapid results could shorten time extremely vulnerable children are out of their routine, and thereby minimise the impact to their education
* East Cheshire Hospice – Supporting the hospice with the ability to test their administration staff, who are not covered by the national programme
* Supported Living sites – Regular screening of staff and service users will take place before Christmas
* Cheshire East Council – An internal testing programme with the council’s Early Help & Prevention team will take place to look at how testing can be integrated as an additional safe measure for staff.
Dr Matt Tyrer, Director of Public Health for Cheshire East Council said: “These pilots are invaluable to our learning about Covid-19, the testing process and how we roll out bigger scale tests to best serve our residents in Cheshire East.
“The testing kits are good for helping to find people who aren’t showing Covid-19 symptoms provided that they are administered properly.
“That is why we are currently carrying out focussed training and pilot testing of the kits in different settings.
“This will enable us to deliver an effective screening programme to identify people who are asymptomatic.
“The test is quick to take and provides rapid results in just 30 minutes.
“This means that when a negative result is received that person can go about their normal day and not have to isolate whilst waiting for results.
“During busy testing periods it can take up to 72 hours to receive the results of traditional tests who have to be sent to labs.
“A positive lateral flow test does however require a second test in order to confirm the positive result.
“This must be a traditional one offered at testing sites. Although this is an inconvenience it doesn’t affect the 10-day isolation start date, which will commence after the lateral flow positive result itself.”
The council will receive enough kits in the New Year to test 10% of the Cheshire East population every week.
Keep up to date by visiting: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/Covid19
Student teacher living in Cheshire East, working in Cheshire West, university in Liveprool says has to have two tests to return to school, nearest test centre taking bookings is Stoke, which won’t allow anyone that doesn’t live in Cheshire to go, nothing in Cheshire East.
What a total mess, how can Boris have messed up tests, vaccines, and schools?