Rapid home testing kits now available

Asymptomatic adults living in households with children in school, including their childcare or support bubbles can now test themselves twice a week from home using rapid Covid-19 home testing kits.

Up to one in three people with Covid-19 show no symptoms, meaning the virus can be spread unknowingly. Regular testing of asymptomatic people allows cases to be detected early and ensures those who have tested positive can self-isolate, helping to control the spread of the virus.

As children and young people return to the classroom from Monday it is vitally important that potential Covid-19 cases are found quickly and prevented from spreading. The new home testing kits, which can be collected or ordered for home delivery, will play a key role in this process.

Rapid Covid-19 home testing kits will be available for asymptomatic:

• adults living in households with primary and secondary-age pupils, including their childcare and support bubbles;
• school staff and adults working in the wider school community, including bus drivers and after school club leaders, as well as members of their households.

Testing is for adults only. Secondary school and college pupils will also undertake regular testing which will be provided via their school or college. Primary school pupils are not being offered rapid testing at this time but parents and carers should access a PCR Covid-19 lab test for them via the national booking system if they develop symptoms.

To find out where you can collect home test kits, visit: https://find-covid-19-rapid-test-sites.maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/

If you are unable to collect, you can order online to be delivered to your home: https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests or by calling 119.

Dr Liz Robin, Director of Public Health for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “Our rapid testing drive across the county is making good progress and the home testing kits are a further boost to this. Rapid testing is an important way to help reduce rates of Covid-19 and ensure that we can all get back to doing more of what we used to enjoy. So I would encourage anyone eligible for home testing kits to take this opportunity and get tested regularly, twice a week,  within your own home.”

You do not need to book an appointment or provide ID to collect your home testing kits. Each test kit contains 7 lateral flow tests and instructions. You can get up to 28 tests at a time depending on the size of your household.

The test usually involves taking a sample from your throat and from your nose, using a swab. You can get a result in 30 minutes.

On-site rapid tests don’t identify all cases of Covid-19, so if your home rapid Covid-19 test is negative you still need to continue to follow government guidelines of social distancing, wearing face coverings and washing hands thoroughly.

If the test is positive, you should self-isolate immediately and get a lab PCR test to confirm the result – you can book this at: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119.

Rapid testing is being offered to asymptomatic residents who cannot work from home at seven rapid testing sites across the county. Home rapid testing kits are not available from these sites.

For more information about rapid testing in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and to book a test at your nearest site visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/rapidtesting or www.peterborough.gov.uk/rapidtesting

Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms – a high temperature / a new continuous cough / a loss of smell or taste – should get a lab PCR test.