Berkshire surge testing success
Council claim recent surge testing programme attracted an above average response
Last updated 1st Jul 2021
More than 20,000 surge tests were carried out in parts of Reading and Wokingham during a recent testing programme.
Wokingham Borough Council say the surge testing between Monday 7 and Sunday 20 June, helped to identify 60 positive Covid-19 cases which may have otherwise been missed.
The activity was targeted to residents with no symptoms who were living, working or studying in Bulmershe & Whitegates, Evendons, Norreys and Wescott. These wards were chosen due to having higher rates of Covid-19.
Postcards were sent to over 34,000 households across the four target wards, sign-posting residents to information on test centre locations
Council teams visited 14,441 residential properties to raise awareness, engaging with 8,988 residents
654 registered vulnerable adults were visited, plus an addition 544 visits to others in supported and sheltered living, with home testing kits arranged where necessary
33 families were visited by the council’s Children’s Services team
Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult social care said:
“The response to our surge testing programme has been nothing short of incredible. Nationally, the uptake amongst residents has been around 20-30%, but in Wokingham Borough, well over 50% of people living, working or studying in the affected wards came forward for a test. This truly demonstrates everyone’s commitment to stopping the spread of the virus and keeping each other safe - we are very grateful for this.
“A huge amount of effort went into planning this activity in a very short space of time, so we’re also thankful for the work of our teams in pulling it all together. So far, the data tells us that 60 positive Delta variant cases have been identified; without surge testing these may have otherwise gone unfound, causing a further spread in the community.”
On top of the surge testing programme, a surge vaccination site was set up at Bulmershe Leisure Centre in Woodley from Tuesday 15 June to Sunday 27 June. During this time, 4,000 over 18s were vaccinated.