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Rapid Lateral Flow Tests, to test for Covid-19, will be available to collect from Asymptomatic Testing Sites across Nottingham from Friday 19 March.

As more pupils and students return to the classroom, the Government has asked all adults who are in households, childcare and support bubbles of nursery children, primary and secondary-age pupils and college students to test themselves twice a week for Covid-19.

Adults who meet the criteria above can now pick up these tests at the asymptomatic testing sites at Clifton Community Centre, Djanolgy Community Leisure Centre (Forest Fields) and The Portland Centre (The Meadows) during normal opening hours.

Cllr Sally Longford, Deputy Leader at Nottingham City Council, said: “Around one in three people with Covid-19 don’t have any symptoms, but can still pass it on. This is why it is so important that people regularly test for Covid-19.

“We have worked hard in Nottingham to be able to provide households who are in contact with children and young people in education with easy access to the rapid lateral flow tests. Households will now be available to pick these up from the asymptomatic testing sites – as well as accessing them from other sources such as online delivery, collection from some employers and also ordering by phone.

“I encourage people who are in contact with children across Nottingham to play their part to help stop the spread of infections and take part in regular testing.”

For further information please visit http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/get-a-covid-19-test

These tests are to be used regularly by people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19.  They must not be used if you have symptoms.  If anyone in the household gets coronavirus symptoms, they should self-isolate immediately and get a PCR test at a local test centre.

People who are asymptomatic (do not display symptoms of Covid-19) can find out further information on how to get a rapid lateral flow test by visiting: Rapid lateral flow testing for households and bubbles of school pupils and staff – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Reporting results

  • It is really important that results are reported. People are asked to report results online to NHS Test and Trace or over the phone by calling 119.
  • If anyone in the household tests positive or gets coronavirus symptoms, they should tell the school and:
  • Self-isolate immediately
  • Get a PCR test at a local test centre to confirm the result. PCR Tests work in a different way to lateral flow device test as the swab kits go to a laboratory. The PCR tests are better at finding very small amounts of the virus, especially early in infection, so these are used primarily in people who have symptoms.
  • Follow the stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection A negative result means the test did not find signs of coronavirus. But this does not guarantee people do not have coronavirus, so they should keep following all coronavirus advice including:
  • Regular handwashing
  • Social distancing
  • Wearing a face covering where recommended