A NEW walk-in centre offering rapid coronavirus testing to people who have no symptoms of the virus has opened in Leicester.
The testing centre at Hamilton Library on Maidenwell Avenue is the sixth rapid testing facility to be opened by the city council, making it easy for people around the city to get free, regular tests.
With around one in three people with coronavirus having no symptoms, it’s essential that those who have to go out to work are regularly tested so that they aren’t unwittingly spreading the virus – but anyone who’s worried about the virus and wants a test can pop in twice a week and get themselves checked.
On average, one in 33 tests carried out in Leicester’s rapid testing centres is proving to be positive.
“Even if you have no symptoms, you could still be spreading the virus – and a mild, or imperceptible, illness for you could be a life-threatening disease for someone else,” said Leicester’s director of public health, Professor Ivan Browne.
“That’s why we’re encouraging people to get tested at our walk-in centres. By coming forward for a test, you’ll be helping us to track down the virus and stop it from being passed on. And if you test positive, it’s really important that you self-isolate for 10 days, and that your close contacts self-isolate too. That’s the only way we’ll be able to break the chain of transmission.”
The lateral flow tests are self-administered, with staff on hand to offer guidance, and are a simple swab of the throat and the nose. Most people are in and out within 20 minutes, with test results available within an hour.
Hamilton Library is the latest venue to be transformed into a rapid testing centre. Leicester’s other rapid testing sites are at the Adult Education College, Coleman Neighbourhood Centre, Eyres Monsell Community Centre, Fosse Neighbourhood Centre and the Tudor Community Centre.
Opening hours at all the city’s rapid testing centres are from 9am to 8pm from Monday to Friday, and from 10am until 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
More information about rapid testing is available at leicester.gov.uk/coronavirus
People with symptoms of coronavirus should NOT go to any of the rapid testing centres. Instead, they should stay at home and book a test online or by calling 119.
Anyone with symptoms, or who tests positive for coronavirus, must not leave their home for 10 days. Other members of their household must stay at home for 10 days too, and anyone who’s told that they’ve been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus must not leave their home for 10 days either.
Although coronavirus cases in Leicester are slowly coming down, they are still much higher than the national average, with the latest figures showing a 7-day rate of 234.9 per 100,000.
People are reminded that they must continue to stay at home as much as possible, observe social distancing rules when they have to go out, wear a face mask where required, and wash their hands regularly throughout the day.
Walk-in rapid testing facilities for people with no symptoms of coronavirus are available at the following locations:
Fosse Neighbourhood Centre (Mantle Road LE3 5HG); Coleman Neighbourhood Centre (Balderstone Close LE5 4ES); Eyres Monsell Community Centre (Hillsborough Rd, LE2 9PQ); Adult Education College (Belvoir Street, LE1 6QL); Tudor Community Centre (Bewcastle Grove, LE4 2JW); Hamilton Library (Maidenwell Avenue, LE5 1BL).
Opening hours are 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.