People urged to get tested for coronavirus as vaccine rollout continues
People have been urged to help the Covid fight by getting tested for the virus as the vaccine rollout gathers pace.
The Midlands has seen the highest number of jabs delivered in the country, with almost 450,000 people vaccinated up to January 10.
But council chiefs and health officials have urged residents without symptoms to continue to take part in rapid testing, describing it as one of the key weapons in the race to defeat coronavirus.
Walsall is set to announce its first mass testing scheme next week, while all other parts of the Black Country and Staffordshire already have sites up and running.
Mass testing uses lateral flow test technology which provides results in as little as 30 minutes. A number of sites are currently open, either for walk-in or online booking.
Wolverhampton was the first part of the region to start rapid testing, with a successful pilot scheme running at the Sedgley Street gurdwara last November.
The city has since expanded its offer, opening the first mass testing site in the West Midlands in December at the Civic Centre.
Councillor Ian Brookfield, Leader of the Wolverhampton Council, was tested on the first day it opened. He said it was crucial to test people without symptoms “as it means we can identify cases of the virus among people who don’t realise they’ve got it”.
Chain of transmission
As a result, he said, it would be possible to prevent them from inadvertently passing it on to others.
"They can then be asked to self isolate which will help to break the chain of transmission and reduce the spread of Covid-19,” he added.
He urged people to play their part in the fight against the virus by getting a test.
“Chances are you won’t have Covid-19 but, if it turns out you do, you will be able to take the necessary steps to protect yourself, your loved ones and the wider community,” he said.
Sandwell's Deputy Council leader Councillor Maria Crompton took a rapid test herself and described the process “very easy”.
“Some people will want to get tested on a regular basis so that they can reduce the chance that they will accidentally pass the virus on to someone they love.”
Residents in hotspots in Staffordshire have been urged to book a test.
Dr Richard Harling, Staffordshire County Council’s Director of Health and Care, said: “People can book now for the coming days at our community testing sites for a rapid test. If there is no availability, people can also book a traditional test at one of the national sites across the county.”
Karen Wright, director of public health at Dudley Council, said: "Testing will also remain crucial as will the continued roll out of the vaccine and we will be supporting our colleagues in the NHS as this moves forward.
"We have to remember that one in three of us with the virus won’t have symptoms."
For people in any part of the region with symptoms, standard swab tests can be booked via the Government website at gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
