Rapid Covid-19 community testing site opens in Salisbury
Wiltshire Council has begun the roll out across the county
Last updated 23rd Feb 2021
Salisbury's Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre has become one of the first rapid Covid-19 community testing sites in Wiltshire.
Two have been opened in the county so far, which are part of the government initiative to help drive down transmission rates.
Wiltshire Council's programme, is specifically aimed at asymptomatic people in small businesses, ( less than 50 people) private early years settings and childminders.
These groups have been chosen because they are currently not involved in any other mass testing scheme.
Eligible people will be able to take a Lateral Flow Test, with the results returning within half an hour.
There's going to be four sites across the county in total, with Salisbury and Devizes the first places to get them.
All appointments for the centre have to be pre-booked though and anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should not get a test there.
People in that category can still book free tests at the many sites across the county by visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.
Kate Blackburn, Director of Public Health for Wiltshire, said:
"Rapid community testing for asymptomatic targeted groups is another tool at our disposal to help control and drive down our case rates. If used effectively with other measures it will help reduce the likelihood of the virus spreading.
I must really stress though that a negative Lateral Flow Test result is not a passport to freedom, and people must still closely adhere to all the COVID guidelines of washing hands regularly, socially distancing, and wearing a face cover where required.
Local case numbers have fallen recently so we must all continue to play our part and not undo all the progress made recently."
For more information on these new centres, visit the Wiltshire Council website.