Community testing set to be launched in Covid hotspots across Leicestershire

Community testing is set to be launched in virus hotspots across Leicestershire early in the New Year in the battle to defeat Covid-19.

Plans are being finalised that will see lateral flow test pop-up testing deployed in communities throughout the county with the highest rates.

Leicestershire County Council has 16,000 new-style kits and can obtain down more from the Government as required.

Mike Sandys, the council’s director of public health, said: “Our plans are progressing quickly and in parallel with the Government’s community testing programme.

“Our plan will see new-style kits deployed where we are seeing the very highest rates, helping to break the chain of infection.”

He added: “As you can imagine, this requires a lot of planning and we’re in the process of finalising the approach and logistics.

“We’re already ready to use the kits on a small-scale to help control outbreaks.

“And in early January we aim to be able to deploy tests and teams to communities that need it most, and scale up the operation if required.”

Council leader, Cllr Nick Rushton, said: “Rates have dropped significantly over the past month – and I’d like to thank people for heeding our call.

“But we can’t let our guard down.

“And especially with Christmas approaching and a potential third wave.”

He stressed: “We remain at the forefront of the battle against coronavirus.

“As one of the first in the country to localise test and trace, and with the successful drop in rates in Oadby and Wigston over the summer, we have the expertise to make this work.

“When we need the community testing most, after Christmas, we’ll be ready to roll.”

The Government has unveiled 67 tier three areas where it will roll out community testing nationwide. Leicestershire is not on the list but the county council has worked up its own plan without the need for Government support.