Hart residents urged to collect free home coronavirus test kits
People are being urged to use them regularly
People in Hart can now collect free rapid lateral flow coronavirus tests from Fleet.
Anyone can visit the testing centre at the council offices can get two boxes, each with seven tests, twice a week.
The council is encouraging people to use them regularly as lockdown eases, to help limit the spread of the virus.
Staff will be available to advise on how to use them.
The centre remains open for asymptomatic testing – residents can either book an appointment via the council’s website or just.walk in.
Opening hours for on-site testing or to pick up kits:
Apex Centre, Council Offices, Harlington Road, Fleet
• Monday: 8am - 12pm, 2pm -5pm
• Tuesday: 9:15am - 4pm
• Wednesday: 9:15am - 4pm
• Thursday: 9:15am - 4pm
• Friday: 8am - 12pm, 2pm - 5pm
Kirsty Jenkins, Head of Community at Hart District Council, said: “Around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not experience any symptoms and may be spreading the virus unwittingly. Rapid testing detects cases quickly, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately. By making rapid tests available to everyone in Hart, more cases will be detected, breaking chains of transmission and saving lives.”
How the test works:
A swab sample is taken from the nose and throat and gives a result in 30 minutes.
What to do after the test:
• Record your result online or by phone. Instructions on how to do this are included in the test kit.
• If the result is positive, you and your household must self-isolate and you must book a confirmatory PCR test.
• If the test is negative, continue to follow preventative measures for stopping the spread of the virus, including ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’.
Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should book a test online or call 119.