Rapid testing available for pregnant women in North Essex

The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) is offering rapid coronavirus tests for pregnant people and their partners from Wednesday 17 February.

In line with new national NHS guidance, those attending maternity appointments at Colchester Hospital and Clacton Hospital will be able to have a lateral flow test prior to being seen.

While refusing the test, which is for those without symptoms, will not impact appointments, ESNEFT is asking people to accept them to keep others safe.

Chief Nurse Giles Thorpe said: "We know some people infected with Coronavirus (COVID-19) can display no symptoms, known as being asymptomatic. But they can still pass the virus on to others.

"By introducing this rapid testing method, called lateral flow testing, we will be able to identify asymptomatic cases, which will reduce the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our hospitals."

People who choose to be tested will need to arrive one hour before their scheduled appointment to allow the result to come back within 30-45 minutes.

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