‘Get tested’ plea as free rapid lateral flow Covid kits made available

HAMPSHIRE residents have been urged to get tested as free Covid tests will be available across the county from this week.

All residents in Hampshire will have access to rapid lateral flow tests from today (Friday) in a move to identify asymptomatic people and stop the spread of the coronavirus, writes Maria Zaccaro of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Residents will be able to collect kits from testing centres across the county or to order them online twice a week and record the results.

County council bosses have also confirmed that they are looking to roll-out pharmacy collection in Hampshire over the coming weeks.

Simon Bryant, director of public health at Hampshire County Council, said: “As we see the number of positive cases decline, it’s tempting to think that Covid may soon be a thing of the past.

“But the virus transmits so easily from person to person, and if we do not continue to exercise caution and do all we can to minimise spread, we may have to live with some form of restrictions for the foreseeable future.

“I am therefore urging Hampshire residents to take up the offer of free, regular testing – and make test-record-repeat a part of your weekly routine.”

Those who test positive will be asked to self-isolate and book a PCR test. Children of primary school age or younger are not being asked to test regularly.

Dr Bryant added: “I would remind everyone who is testing regularly at home that it is very important to record your test result.

“Secondary school pupils and college students should continue to test regularly throughout the holidays, and should take a test the day before or morning of the first day of summer term, before returning to education.”

Test kits can be collected in the afternoon from the Furlong car park in Ringwood and Two Riversmeet leisure centre car park in Christchurch. Book a test delivery at www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests or call 119.