Central Bedfordshire Council, in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care, has launched a community testing initiative to help drive down Covid-19 transmission rates.
Around one in three people who are infected with Covid-19 have no symptoms so could be spreading the disease without knowing it. Identifying positive cases more quickly will help to break chains of transmission and control the virus.
The location for the three Rapid Covid- 19 testing centres that are now open are at:
• Flitwick Leisure Centre - MK45 1TH
• Dunstable Leisure Centre - LU5 4JD
• Saxon Pool and Leisure Centre in Biggleswade - SG18 8SU
Based on local and national evidence of risk of infection, we are offering these tests to all customer facing employers/workforces in Central Bedfordshire.
We strongly encourage businesses to use these free facilities to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect their workforce.
The rapid tests can help to identifying individuals who are infected with COVID-19, but do not have symptoms (asymptomatic). In addition to the invitation to be tested, eligible employees must: live or work in Central Bedfordshire, above the age of 16 years.
As these tests provide a ‘snap-shot’ of whether someone is currently infectious with COVID-19 rapid testing should be accessed twice weekly. Your employees can simply turn up at a time date that suits you between 8am and 8pm, 7 days a week (except for Tuesdays and Saturdays at Biggleswade) and ensure that the tests are taken twice a week, 3-4 days apart.
It is important to remember that a negative rapid test does not rule out the virus and existing social distancing and infection prevention measures should continue.
Please note, that these tests do not replace the standard test (PCR), for any individual has COVID-19 symptoms (high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste) they can be booked via https://www.gov.uk/getting-tested-for-coronavirus
We may ask you to return some basic, non-identifiable information on testing metrics to help us understand the spread of the virus better. Those who wish to take part in this voluntary program should visit the following web pages to understand how their data will be handled before they register.
NHS Covid testing Privacy Notice
Central Bedfordshire Council Covid 19 Privacy Notice
Further information about the testing is available on our website at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/rapidtests
