Black Country and Staffordshire authorities among first to start community testing programmes
Local authorities in the Black Country and Staffordshire have been confirmed among the first 67 to start community testing programmes as part of the Government's Covid-19 Winter Plan.
More than 1.6 million tests are being sent to Tier 3 areas across England as part of a mass testing programme intended to cut coronavirus rates.
The first wave of areas under Tier 3 restrictions to receive the Government's community testing offer were confirmed on Saturday.
It includes Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall, as well as Birmingham.
Parts of Staffordshire are also on the list – including Cannock Chase, Lichfield, South Staffordshire and Stafford.
Wolverhampton South West MP, Stuart Anderson, welcomed the news, saying: "Glad we are getting more community rapid-turnaround tests in Wolverhampton.
"The lateral flow testing in Wolverhampton has again seen our city come together and set an example of how well our different communities work as one."
Health chiefs say when combined with existing measures, it will help put Tier 3 areas on a route out of the toughest restrictions.
Roughly, one in three people have the virus without symptoms – and could be spreading Covid-19 without knowing it. Broadening testing to identify those showing no symptoms will mean finding positive cases more quickly and break chains of transmission.
Pleased
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "I am really pleased to announce the first areas embarking on enhanced community testing programmes – after the successful work in Liverpool.
"With one in three people with coronavirus showing no symptoms, increased community testing is a vital additional tool at our disposal to help identify those who are infected and infectious, but unaware that they might be spreading the disease.
"Community testing will be very important in helping the areas where levels of the virus are highest to drive down infection rates and ultimately will help areas ease tougher restrictions.
"This is just the start, and we are working quickly to roll out community testing more widely as soon as more local teams are ready. I urge all those living in areas where community testing is offered to come forward and get tested."
Government support will be provided to support community testing programmes for a minimum of six weeks, with more Tier 3 local authorities due to join the community testing offer over the coming weeks and into 2021.
