NEWS | Home testing kits for South African variant of Covid-19 being delivered from Thursday

Residents in some parts of the WR3 and Wr9 areas of Worcestershire will be receiving home testing kits from Thursday, to test for the South African variant of Covid-19.

 In the last few days, testing has begun at two sites in WR3, for residents in these postcode areas. Now, Worcestershire County Council will be delivering tests to each home and business within the included postcodes.

Every household in the identified areas will be visited from Thursday and a test kit offered to everyone over the age of 18.

The person delivering the testing kits will not carry out the test. This is a drop and collect service. It’s also very important to maintain social distancing with the person who delivers testing kits.

Instructions of how to complete the test are included with the kit.

Anyone who receives a kit will need to register the kit online and record the barcode number on the container provided. If you cannot register online, please call NHS 119.

These testing kits will then be collected 24 hours later for processing. Please do not post your kit.

If your kit has not been collected between Sunday 14th February and Tuesday 16th February, please drop off your testing kit at The White Hart Pub, Fernhill Heath or Worcester Warriors Sixways Stadium. There will be a dedicated area to drop your testing kit off. Please look out for signs when you arrive at the site.

If you cannot drop off your testing kit please call Here2Help on 01905 768053 then press option 3 to arrange collection. The Here2Help service is available Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 5.00pm and Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.

If you have already booked a test at The White Hart Pub, Fernhill Heath or Worcester Warriors Sixways Stadium, please do not take another test.

If you have someone in a support bubble who visits your house and cannot book a test online, please take a testing kit for them too. 

If you don’t receive a test by Monday 15th February 2021, or need further help call Here2Help who will assist you on 01905 768053 option 3.

If you have medical concerns or are unable to take a test, please call NHS 111.

You should receive the result of your test between 24-72 hours after collection. This will be the initial covid result.   

To find out more about testing for the South African variant of Coronavirus in Worcestershire please visit the dedicated COVID-19 variant pages of the County Council’s website.

Dr Kathryn Cobain, Director for Public Health in Worcestershire said: “It is important we test as many people as we can in these postcode areas, to ensure we are identifying people who are carrying Covid-19 without realising. This testing will also help us nationally identify the spread of the South African variant. If you are offered a test at home and have not visited the 2 testing sites since Saturday, then please do take up the offer.”