Community Testing comes to Ashfield
Ashfield District Council is pleased to announce a community testing site is to launch in Ashfield, in a bid drive down transmission rates and help protect people most at risk, using rapid turnaround tests.
The Council, in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care, is launching the Community Testing site at Lammas Leisure Centre, Sutton on 16th February, to help drive down transmission rates across the District.
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 break chains of transmission. With its targeted approach, community testing aims to reduce the prevalence of the virus in the highest risk areas.
Testing will be available for asymptomatic individuals aged 18-65 years, particularly those that are not able to work from home. No appointments are needed, just turn up during opening hours to receive your test.
The opening hours are:
Lammas Leisure Centre –
Tuesday to Friday – 8am – 6pm
Saturday – 8.30am – 1pm
Free parking is available on site. Please avoid using public transport in case you later test positive.
Community Testing is for residents without symptoms. Anyone with one or more of these Covid-19 symptoms – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – should book a test online at the NHS website (link opens in new window) or by calling 119.
Cllr Jason Zadrozny, Leader of Ashfield District Council said:
“The council is keen to do everything it can to facilitate efforts to drive down infection rates, and we welcome the community testing site to the District. By working with our partners we can help our residents to protect themselves and their loved ones and lower the rate of infection.
“I would encourage everyone who has the opportunity to get a rapid test to take it, particularly those working in the retail, food production and distribution and manufacturing sectors.
“Community testing doesn’t work on its own so it’s vital that we all keep following the national lockdown restrictions in addition to the Hands, Face, Space guidance. I know the people are of Ashfield are committed to reducing the spread of the virus, and this community testing site and the new local testing site in Sutton, will help with this.”
Jonathan Gribbin, Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire, said:
“We know that around one in three people have the virus but do not have any symptoms, so they could be spreading the disease without knowing. Community testing is designed to identify those who have no symptoms but are positive, particularly people who are in jobs that don’t allow them to work from home.
"Testing will enable us to ensure that the necessary advice and support can be put in place so we can help 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 to practice Hands – Face – Space rules whenever they do.”
