Over 13,000 rapid community tests for Covid-19 have now been carried out across Leicestershire’s seven sites – including at Harborough

Over 13,000 rapid community tests for Covid-19 have now been carried out across Leicestershire’s seven sites – including at Market Harborough.

Quickfire tests for all those who can’t work from home are being offered six days a week at the new hub opened last month at the bowls hall at Harborough Leisure Centre on Northampton Road.

Other testing centres are also operating at Wigston, Blaby, Swannington, Loughborough, Hinckley and Melton Mowbray.

Now that schools are reopening, twice-weekly tests at the sites are also open to households and bubbles of school pupils and staff.

So far some 13,143 tests have been carried out across the seven sites.

A total of 153 people have tested positive for Covid-19 – despite having no symptoms.

Positive tests have been recorded at every one of the district testing locations.

In badly-hit North West Leicestershire, 1.8 per cent of rapid tests are coming back positive.

That’s well above the county average of 1.2 per cent - while 10 per cent of tests are showing as positive among people with symptoms.

One in three people who have coronavirus show no symptoms.

Rapid lateral flow testing, led by the county council’s public health team, can help to quickly identify individuals and stop the spread of infection.

Rapid testing is only for those who are eligible, who don’t have symptoms and aren’t already isolating.

If you do have symptoms, or you have been told to self isolate, then you should not attend.

Cllr Nick Rushton, who leads Leicestershire County Council, said: “Rapid testing of those without symptoms is a vital part of the fight against Covid-19.

“The fact that we have seen over 150 people test positive despite having no symptoms proves just how important it is.”

He added: “The fact that those 153 people tested positive and then went into self-isolation saved many more people in Leicestershire becoming infected.

“Without the lateral flow tests, these people would have been completely unaware they had the virus and could have gone on to spread it to work colleagues, family and the wider public.

“It has been good to see so many people attending regularly for testing and I would urge others to do the same.

“I’d also like to thank all the staff who are working so hard to ensure that our testing sites run smoothly and efficiently.”

The lateral flow tests are self-administered at an approved test site.

You can leave the site straight after you have taken your swab. Results will be sent out by text or email by the end of that day.

Sites will be open six days every week.

If you are eligible for a test you can book one at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/covidtest