Plymouth people can now get tested for COVID-19 even if they have no symptoms
The tests will only be available for key workers though
Many essential workers or those providing vital care and support for the most vulnerable people in Plymouth, will now have access to a rapid COVID-19 testing programme.
In a statement: Plymouth City Council said:
"We know that up to one in three people who have coronavirus never show any symptoms but that does not mean they are not infectious. Lateral flow devices (LFDs) are one of the tools being used to help us to detect and fight COVID-19."
The tests can allow individuals with no symptoms to check if they have the virus, when they otherwise wouldn't know.
If they do have a positive result then they should self-isolate, to make sure that they are not putting others at risk.
The rapid turnaround lateral flow tests can give results in under an hour, without the need for laboratory processing.
Over the past few weeks, the council has been piloting the testing programme with its own frontline staff.
Now, the authority has expanded its offer with a mobile unit, travelling around the city to key locations where essential workers or volunteers are based, including the City Business Park, Four Greens Wellbeing Hub and the Age UK Centre.
The new service aims to complement the Government's Rapid Workplace Testing programme.
It is hoped that over the weeks and months ahead even more lateral flow testing will be available across the city.
The lateral flow testing is in addition to the symptomatic testing (sometimes called PCR Testing), that is already available for those displaying COVID-19 symptoms at three venues across the City.
Ruth Harrell, Director of Public Health for Plymouth City Council, said:
"Roughly one in three people who have the virus do not have symptoms so could be spreading the disease without knowing it. Broadening testing to identify those showing no symptoms will mean finding positive cases more quickly, enable people to take immediate action and self-isolate and ultimately break chains of transmission.
"We will be expanding up our testing over the weeks ahead as more and more people will want to access the service when lockdown restrictions begin to ease."
Currently anyone who does have one of the main symptoms of a high temperature, new cough or loss of taste or smell must self-isolate immediately and book a test.