Rakegate Primary School acts as Covid rapid test collection site
A primary school is one of eight in Wolverhampton acting as a collection point for free rapid coronavirus test kits.
A number of primary schools and a secondary school are acting as distribution points for the test kits, which enable people to test themselves for coronavirus at home.
One of the schools acting as a collection point is Rakegate Primary School, off Rakegate Close. The kits are available to be collected at the school between 11am and 3.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Headteacher Sarah Horton said: "As a school, we wanted to do our part to help to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and keep everyone safe.
"We are proud to be supporting our school and wider community through the distribution of lateral flow testing kits. Our aim is to provide the opportunity for as many people as possible to undertake regular testing."
People living in Wolverhampton can also pick up their free kits from Northwood Park Primary School between 10am and 2pm Monday to Friday; Smestow School between 9am and 3pm Tuesdays and Wednesdays; and Oak Meadow Primary School between 11am and noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
They are also available at St Jude’s CE Primary School between 2pm and 3.30pm on Wednesdays; and Trinity CE Primary School between 2pm and 3.30pm on Wednesdays.
Meanwhile, members of the school community, including parents and guardians, are invited to collect their test kits from St Luke's Primary School between 8.45am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday; West Park Primary School between 10am and 2pm Monday to Friday; and Warstones Primary School between 2pm and 3pm Mondays and Thursdays.
Brenda Wile, Wolverhampton Council's deputy director for education, said: "One in three people with Covid-19 do not have any symptoms but could still spread the virus to family and friends.
"Rapid testing helps identify these asymptomatic cases and reduce the spread of infection, and we are urging people to get tested twice a week in order to help keep the virus out of our classrooms and homes.
"It is great that local schools are supporting this by acting as collection points for rapid home test kits and I would urge family members and the wider community to make sure they pick up their free kits and make testing part of their regular routine.”
Anyone aged 18 or over, as well as secondary school pupils and college students, can get a free rapid test if they don't have symptoms of Covid-19.
Other schools that wish to become distribution points for home test kits, either for their school community or the wider community, are invited to email publichealth@wolverhampton.gov.uk as soon as possible.
