Rapid Covid-19 test centre for key workers is opening in Market Harborough today

A rapid community Covid-19 test centre for key workers is opening in Market Harborough today (Friday).

The unit is being opened at the bowls hall at Harborough Leisure Centre on Northampton Road.

Over 3,000 people across Leicestershire have already undergone rapid community tests for the coronavirus.

Testing is already available six days a week at centres in Wigston, Blaby, Swannington, Loughborough, Hinckley and Melton Mowbray.

And the Market Harborough facility is the last one to be opened in Leicestershire.

Bookings for all the sites are available via the council’s website.

One in three people who have coronavirus show no symptoms.

Rapid lateral flow testing, led by the 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.

The new quickfire centre is open to key workers and anyone else in the county who cannot currently work from home.

Cllr Nick Rushton, the leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: “We are delighted to say that we’ve done over 3,000 tests since the first site went live on January 7.

“And lots of our key workers are attending for regular testing, which is exactly what we want to see.

“The tests are helping to protect them and the wider community and help stop the spread of Covid-19 as the fight goes on to drive down infection rates."

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

And 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 each week.

Anyone who currently cannot work from home and is eligible, will be able to book a test at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/covidtestResidents are reminded that if they have Covid symptoms they will need to isolate immediately and book an NHS test at nhs.uk or by calling 119.