Rapid community testing for those without symptoms to start in Mansfield

The pilot scheme is aimed at people in the Ladybrook, Oak Tree and Bellamy wards which have a high proportion of people unable to work from home.

Asymptomatic people aged 18-65 years living and work in the wards will be able to get tested at Oak Tree Leisure Centre from January 26 - on Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 7am to 3pm and Mansfield Town Football Club’s One Call Stadium from January 28 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9am to 7pm and Sundays from 10am to 2pm.

The rapid turnaround tests have been supplied by NHS Test and Trace. The community initiative is in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care.

One in three people infected by COVID-19 have no symptoms and could spread the disease unknowingly.

In the coming weeks community testing will be expanded to workers in retail, food production and distribution, manufacturing and others, before being extended to anyone aged 18-65 in the district.

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Executive Mayor of Mansfield Andy Abrahams said: “The council is keen to do everything it can to drive down infection rates. By working with our partners to bring community testing to Mansfield we can help our residents to protect themselves and their loved ones and lower the rate of infection.

“I urge everyone who has the opportunity to get a rapid test to take it and keep showing the amazing community spirit we have seen in Mansfield throughout the pandemic.”

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Jonathan Gribbin, Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire, said: “One in three people have the virus but do not have symptoms, they could be spreading the disease without knowing. Community testing is designed to identify those who have no symptoms but are positive, particularly people in jobs that don’t allow them to work from home.

"Testing enables us to ensure that the necessary advice and support can be put in place so we can to break the chain of transmission. Whilst this testing is an additional tool we can use to help drive transmission down, it is still vitally important that everyone in our communities continue to stay at home unless it’s essential to leave the house, and practice Hands – Face – Space rules whenever they do.”