Harborough MP calls for more coronavirus rapid testing kits to help slash the rate of infection across the district

Harborough MP Neil O’Brien is calling on the Government to urgently provide more crucial coronavirus rapid testing kits to help slash the rate of infection across the district.

The Conservative MP has now written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock hours after it was announced that Harborough and the whole of Leicestershire would go into tough Tier 3 restrictions.

Neil has told the Minister: “As you know, two factors helped us rapidly drive down rates of infections in and around Leicester in the summer.

“As well as the local restrictions, the huge amount of testing we did enabled us to flush the virus out more quickly.

“Leicestershire County Council have well advanced plans to use the 16,000 lateral flow tests we currently have access to, which will be used to supress local outbreaks and help neighbourhoods with the highest rates of infection.”

He added: “If we can get access to more rapid tests the county will be able to do even more of this, which will help us drive down rates even faster and get out of restrictions more quickly.

“I have been very struck by what mass rapid testing has done to slash infection rates in Liverpool – with cases in the city cut by three quarters.

“Leicestershire showed in the summer that we are capable of pulling together to drive down infection rates.

“We can do the same again.

“Additional access to rapid testing well let us do more - and do it more quickly.

“Leicestershire has more experience of fighting the virus than most other places and our plan for rapid testing more advanced than most.

“I am seeking more access to the rapid testing kit so that we can do more here.

“I look forward to discussing this further.”