Herefordshire workers encouraged to get tested twice a week
Two more community pharmacies in Herefordshire have joined the county’s COVID-19 rapid testing programme making it easier for essential workers, who cannot work from home, to get tested.
They are:
- Hereford Pharmacy, Hereford;
- WS&B Rees Pharmacy, Leominster;
This brings the total number of pharmacies currently offering rapid tests to workers without symptoms to three as Westfields Walk Pharmacy, Leominster, had already joined the programme. The aim is to increase the number in the coming weeks.
These pharmacies have joined the government’s Community Asymptomatic Testing Programme being run locally by Herefordshire Council.
Around one in three people who are infected with COVID-19 have no symptoms so could be spreading the disease without knowing it. Broadening testing to identify those showing no symptoms will mean finding positive cases more quickly, and help break the chain of transmission.
Symptom-free essential workers, who need to leave home to do their job, are being encouraged get tested, using a rapid test (known as a Lateral Flow Test), twice a week. Pharmacy tests can be booked here.
In addition to the pharmacies, Herefordshire has four council-run test centres in Hereford, Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury and Leominster. Tests centre appointments can be booked through the council’s website.
The rapid tests produce a result in up to 2 hours and people are notified by text message or email. Anyone who does not receive their result within 12 hours, should take another rapid test.
Herefordshire Public Health Consultant Sarah Smith said:
“I am delighted that two more pharmacies have joined the programme in Herefordshire. The pharmacies add an important extra layer to our symptom-free testing programme and will enable some people, who find it difficult to attend one of the council’s test centres, to access tests near to them.
“Testing remains a vital part in our efforts to suppress the virus and keep our communities safe. The greater access people have to testing, the quicker we can find cases and break the chain of transmission.”
A spokesperson for Westfield Walk Pharmacy and Rees Chemists, Leominster, said:
“We are very happy to operate the COVID-19 Lateral Flow Test service for people in our community. It has proved to be very successful in Leominster where we can offer tests six days a week. Many carers, teachers, students, supermarket assistants and people working in the transport sector are using this free service.”
A spokesperson for Hereford Pharmacy said:
“The team in Hereford Pharmacy feels the heartbeat of Herefordshire and local residents’ health concerns matter to us. With the COVID-19 pandemic as a common threat to the community, let us check your COVID-19 status by using the lateral flow test. Protect your loved ones and yourselves by getting tested. Our pharmacy is happy to assist you with that.”
The government has announced it is extending its offer of free rapid testing to businesses. All businesses in Herefordshire can sign up to the government’s free COVID-19 workplace testing programme enabling staff without symptoms, who cannot work from home, access to regular rapid COVID-19 testing at work.
Businesses have until 31 March to register for the government’s workplace testing scheme, which will remain free until the end of June. All those who can work from home should continue to do so.
An online portal has been launched for businesses to find out more about offering rapid workplace testing. They will be provided with all the information needed to plan and deliver their testing programme, along with promotional materials.
It is vital that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms – a new continuous cough, high temperature, change or loss of smell and/or taste – immediately self-isolates and books a test online or by calling NHS 119. Home test kits can also be ordered.
To protect yourself and others, you must remember: Hands. Face. Space.
- Hands – wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water often, and as soon as you get home – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
- Face – wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
- Space – stay at least 2 metres away from anyone you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble.
