Potential start date revealed for mass testing programme in Hampshire

Further details of a coronavirus mass testing programme have been unveiled as it could be rolled out across Hampshire in the following weeks.

Up to 11 testing centres to identify asymptomatic residents could be set up across the county.

It comes as Hampshire County Council has already submitted a bid to central government for a centre in the Rushmoor district.

Now the authority has revealed that a centre could be set up in each of the Hampshire districts.

As reported, if successful transport workers, childminders, retail staff, construction and maintenance workers as well as volunteers would have access to rapid lateral flow tests.

Those who test positive will be asked to self-isolate and take a PCR test.

New documents published by the county council have revealed that subject to approval, the sites could go live the week beginning February 22.

The location of the sites is yet to be revealed.

But according to the authority the proposed sites include a number of libraries and leisure centres across Hampshire.

A council report discussed by councillors this afternoon reads: “Those eligible for this programme would be invited to undertake lateral flow testing twice a week with a three-to-five-day gap in a seven day period. All sites would run between six and seven days per week with operational hours allowing for variation in working patterns across critical workers. The capacity of testing sites will depend on their size.”

The council said an example from the government guidance states that a medium testing site with 11 testing booths will be able to see 880 people per day.

“The size of sites and the number of booths varies across each of the districts”, the council said.

According to official documents of the eleven sites being

proposed for Hampshire, eight are owned or leased by district councils and three, “all libraries” , are owned by the county council.

Simon Bryant, the director of public health at the county council, said the authority is working at pace.

Talking about the scheme, Cllr Judith Grajewski, cabinet member for health, said: “I think the benefits outweigh the risks. I think this is one more opportunity to trace contacts in our effort to stop the spread of Covid-19.”

The council previously said it hopes to hear back from the government by mid-February.