Staffordshire soldiers help with Covid-19 testing - and learn how to train others
Soldiers from a Staffordshire-based regiment are helping the national fight against Covid-19 by providing testing for NHS staff in Birmingham.
The troops, from 247 Gurkha Signal Squadron, part of 16th Signal Regiment based at Beacon Barracks, Stafford, have spent 10 days training at Edgbaston Cricket Ground.
In total, 32 military personnel have worked with specialists from Boots Pharmacy, learning how to conduct testing and train others to do so.
With similar programmes now up and running in Manchester and Glasgow, this will mean more frontline health workers can get tested quickly and reliably.
Testing is a vital part of the fight against the virus with the Armed Forces supporting the Government’s efforts to increase the national testing capacity including the deployment of six trainers, 24 trainees and 28 testers to regional testing centres and assisting the Department of Health and Social Care with the delivery of vital testing equipment.
LCpl Bijay Gurung said: “We are honoured and proud to deploy on the ground to help during this crisis, and more than happy to do anything within our ability to help during this time.”
