People in Norfolk urged to get regular tests following rise in Covid cases
The number of people with Covid in Norfolk is on the rise.
People in Norfolk are being urged to get two Covid-19 tests a week following an increase in the number of cases in the county.
The Norfolk Resilience Forum says while cases in the county remain low by national standards at 26.7 cases per 100,000, the rate has climbed by 13.3 per 100,000 over the last month.
The average for England at the moment is 149 per 100,000.
Norwich has the highest rate in the county at 50.5 per 100,000 in the week ending 25th June, while in King's Lynn and West Norfolk it's 21.1.
North Norfolk is 17.2, Broadland 19.1, Breckland 21.4, Great Yarmouth 20.1, and South Norfolk 21.3.
All areas except South Norfolk saw an increase on the week before.
Public Health are reminding residents that they are eligible for two free tests a week, including for those who have been vaccinated, to help monitor and control the spread of the virus.
Dr Louise Smith, Norfolk's Director of Public Health, said: "Even with the vaccination programme going well, we all have to remember to get tested: it's just as important as ever. While the vaccines do an excellent job of mitigating Covid symptoms and avoid hospitalisation, even those of who are fully vaccinated can still catch and, worse, transmit the virus.
"To protect our loved ones and our communities, we need to continue to get tested.
"Getting tested regularly goes hand in hand with Hands, Face, Space as the best way to slow the spread of Covid and keep case numbers down."
Cllr Andrew Proctor, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: "The fact Norfolk has lower case rates than most of the country shows that most people are doing their part to protect themselves and others, but with case numbers creeping up it's no time to get complacent.
"Regular testing not only helps NHS Test & Trace track the spread of the virus, it can also give us the peace of mind to go about our lives knowing we're not endangering others. By getting in the habit of testing twice a week we can all do our part to protect each other and protect Norfolk."
How can I get a Covid-19 test?
Symptom free testing is available in a number of ways, and involve a lateral flow device.
The tests don't require a laboratory to process the test, it can be done at home with results in 30 minutes.
You can order one of these tests online or picked up free of charge from any pharmacy or library in the county, with no booking needed.
Tests can also be done a range of community centres in the county, or at one of the County Council's mobile testing units.
These are carried out by a trained professional, and then the result is uploaded to the NHS Test and Trace System, you'll get a text with the result within 30 minutes.
Alternatively for people who do have Covid-19 symptoms - including a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste - you can book a PCR test online.
Anyone with symptoms and everyone they live with must isolate immediately, do not leave home until the test results have been completed, except to post a test kit or attend a PCR test appointment.