Rapid COVID-19 testing will be introduced in Lincoln and Boston, the districts with the 2nd and 3rd highest infection rates in Lincolnshire after South Kesteven.
These tests should take less than 15 minutes to administer, and results should appear in under an hour.
Final plans are currently being put in place, and confirmation of testing sites is expected this week.
The government hopes testing will protect people most at risk in the county, using rapid turnaround tests supplied by NHS Test and Trace.
Sites will be easily accessible for people using lateral flow testing through usual nose and throat swabs.
If the response to the lateral flow testing is positive, people will be given a further PCR test with results known within 24 hours.
Councillor Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This is a massive boost for Lincolnshire’s testing plans, running alongside the rollout of vaccines for our most vulnerable residents and critical support staff.
“Using local knowledge and expertise, it will mean testing for all people in some areas, whether they have symptoms or not, with easy access to additional local testing sites being finalised in Lincoln and Boston.
“Many people may not be showing symptoms but will be carrying the virus so this will help identify these hidden infections and slow the rate of transmissions.”
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
Seeing family, being cosy by the fire, and fun in the snow, contrasted with dark mornings and cold weather, are among the most loved — and hated — things about winter for people in Lincoln.
New research shows that 81% of people admitted they hate the winter season. According to a poll of 2,000 by the Post Office, dark mornings (49%), slipping on ice (44%), and having a cold face (41%), runny nose (38%), and paying the heating bills (34%) are considered the worst things about winter.
Two years after her five-year-old son died of a suspected food anaphylaxis, a mum from Stamford is using the foundation she set up in her little boy’s name to raise awareness of the dangers around allergies in schools.
It’s December 1, 2021. The Blythe family in Stamford are preparing for another Christmas together. The household consisted of mum and dad Helen and Pete, along with their two young children Benedict, who was 5, and Etta, 2 at the time.
Whatsapp
