Residents in North Lincolnshire are being reminded of the importance of regular home testing and reporting of results to keep everyone safe and well.
Using free, at home lateral flow tests are vital for discovering Covid-19 positive cases in people who do not know they have the virus. It also helps build up a clear picture of local coronavirus rates.
It is estimated that one in three people do not show coronavirus symptoms, so being tested twice weekly will help stop the spread of the virus and protect those around you.
Tessa Lindfield, North Lincolnshire’s Director of Public Health, said:
“North Lincolnshire is doing great in its part at fighting the virus and we want to keep it that way to make sure people are kept safe and well.
“It’s important that everyone ramps up testing, especially as we get closer to winter, to help reduce the spread and support the NHS. Doing a lateral flow test twice a week and reporting the results doesn’t take long and can make a big difference.”
Since April 2021, the council has enabled more than 173,000 lateral flow tests.
North Lincolnshire is still benefitting from a lateral flow testing venue where anyone over the age of 16 can get a free supervised test as part of a twice weekly testing programme. Appointments are not necessary. The latest information about the North Lincolnshire testing venue is available on the Covid-19 page.
Over the last few months, anyone in North Lincolnshire has been able to pick up home testing kits from vaccination pop-up sessions that have taken place across North Lincolnshire – this will be continuing over coming weeks.
In addition to this, anyone over the age of 16 including school support bubbles can collect home testing kits via Community Collect at six community-based venues:
- Baysgarth Community Hub
- Ancholme Leisure Centre
- The Pods
- Axholme North Leisure Centre
- Epworth Leisure Centre
- Ashby Community Hub
More details can be found on the Covid-19 page.
Also, certain schools are distributing self-test kits to visitors, friends and family of pupils in the communities they serve including:
- Crosby Primary School
- Frodingham Infants School
- St Lawrence Academy
- Oasis Henderson
- Scunthorpe CofE
- Oasis Parkwood
- Bushfield Infants School
People who cannot access tests through these routes can order them online at Order coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow tests – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) or by calling 119, and the tests will be delivered to your home.
Tessa Lindfield went on to say by reporting your test result, even if it is negative, you can help health officials understand community rates of infection better and enable them to identify outbreaks early.
“After taking the test people need to report their results whether positive or negative on the gov.uk website.
“Covid-19 is still with us, so we must not get complacent. The rate of infection is just over 700 per 100,000 people in North Lincolnshire. Infection control measures remain important as we continue to protect ourselves and others, including people we care for. This includes maintaining safe social distancing, the wearing of face masks where appropriate, excellent hand hygiene and good ventilation.”
