A trial of asymptomatic testing for high-contact professions and others at high-risk from coronavirus will begin from tomorrow, July 10. Among the companies from ‘high-contact professions’ taking part are the security and FM contract company Mitie; besides the private hire taxi firm Addison Lee, the retailer Boots, and telecoms firm BT; and councils in Bradford, Brent, Newham and Oldham.
Like those other firms, the facilities management contractor will receive thousands of tests for staff via home test delivery or a mobile testing unit, while councils will use capacity by booking in specific times for asymptomatic testing at their walk-through local test sites.
Those who test positive through asymptomatic testing will need to self-isolate as normal and follow national guidance, the Department of Health says. Positive results will be shared with NHS Test and Trace, to identify recent contacts, and advise them to self-isolate. This is the sixth week of NHS Test and Trace.
How if you are an essential worker (and if you live with an essential worker) you can get a test to check if you have coronavirus, visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test-essential-workers.
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Simon Venn, Chief Government & Strategy Officer at Mitie, pictured, said: “We are very proud to be working closely with the government to help turn the tide on this pandemic. This trial is of paramount importance to understanding more about the spread of COVID-19. Our frontline heroes have worked tirelessly to keep the UK running throughout the pandemic and any initiatives which promote their health and safety are to be commended.”
Executive Chair of NHS Test and Trace, the former chief of TalkTalk Baroness Dido Harding, said: “We are committed to continually improving NHS Test and Trace, to reach more people at risk of passing the virus on as quickly as possible. This week we have seen test turnaround times improve further, with the majority of positive cases reached by contact tracers in under 24 hours. Anyone with symptoms can easily book a test, expect rapid results, and will hear promptly from NHS Test and Trace if they are tested positive.
“I continue to applaud all those who have played their part, got a test after experiencing symptoms, and responded to the service. I urge anyone contacted by NHS Test and Trace to follow the advice they receive to protect their families and communities.”
For more on Covid-19 response in the UK visit https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
