Rapid Covid-19 tests to be rolled out across Greater Manchester
It signals the next phase of the government’s plan to expand asymptomatic testing for COVID-19.
Greater Manchester's 10 boroughs are among 50 towns and cities across England to receive a share of over half a million rapid-turnaround tests.
They'll be sent out by NHS Test and Trace to local public health leaders this week, signalling the next phase of the government’s plan to expand asymptomatic testing for COVID-19, the Prime Minister announced today.
Each area will receive a batch of 10,000 antigen lateral flow devices as part of a new pilot to enable them to start testing priority groups.
Directors of public health will determine how to prioritise the allocation of these new tests, based on the specific needs of their communities, and will determine how people in the local area are tested.
This initial 600,000 batch will then be followed up with a weekly allocation of rapid tests.
Directors of public health were prioritised for the first phase of rapid community testing based on the level of COVID-19 outbreak in the area.
It's hoped that by proactively testing asymptomatic individuals it will help identify those who unknowingly have the virus and enable those who test positive and their contacts to self-isolate, which can help drive down the R rate locally and save lives.
The government says it is is crucial to break the chains of transmission of the virus and to support critical industries, key workers and institutions.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock, said:
"Last week we rolled out mass testing in Liverpool using new, rapid technology so we can detect this virus quicker than ever before, even in people who don’t have symptoms. Mass testing is a vital tool to help us control this virus and get life more normal.
"I am delighted to say 10,000 of these tests will now be sent out by NHS Test and Trace to over 50 directors of public health as part of our asymptomatic testing strategy. I want to thank all directors of public health for their support and efforts over the past months to help us tackle this virus, bring it under control and get the country back to what we love doing."