Rapid testing programme extended

Rapid testing stock image

Slough’s covid rapid testing programme is being extended until the end of March with more testing centres with longer opening hours the council has announced today (19 February 2021).

Testing sites have now closed.

Covid community testing for those without symptoms has been running since January and was due to finish at the end of February, but is now being extended until at least 31 March. 

And from next week there will be three testing centres across Slough – all with extended opening hours. 

These are:
•    The Centre, Farnham Road – open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 8am to 8pm (6pm on Saturdays)
•    Langley Pavilion, Langley Road – open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 8am to 6pm
•    Arbour Park, Stoke Road – open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 8am to 6pm

The centres are also now offering testing for children under 12, as well as older children and adults, as long as the test is administered by a parent or guardian under supervision by the medical professionals on site. 

Residents can book a slot at any of the three centres or just pop in during opening hours. Results are received within the hour. 

Councillor Natasa Pantelic, lead member for health and wellbeing, said: “Mass rapid testing is an excellent way of finding out if someone is one of the one in three people who have covid but without showing any symptoms. 

“With no symptoms and without a test, people can be silent spreaders of the virus, passing it on to those who may be far worse affected. 

“At the moment – those who need to work outside home are advised to get a rapid test twice a week. Slough has so many of these workers, from taxi, minicab and delivery drivers and childcare workers to shop staff and the best way they can help keep themselves, their families and community safe is by getting tested regularly.”

She added: “The test is quick, easy and free and gives the peace of mind that while doing their vital work they have not caught covid or are infecting others.

“Slough covid case rates are falling, which is excellent news for all of us but around 50 Slough people a day are still catching covid. 

“I would urge everyone who goes out and about to get a test and make sure they are not a silent spreader.”

Since the programme began, 10,271 rapid tests have been done in Slough – with 205 people found to be covid positive but with no symptoms.

Current covid case rates in Slough are 210.6 per 100,000 of the population. There are 58 residents in hospital due to covid with an average age of just 67 and in the week ending 5 February (the latest data) 21 Slough residents died due to covid.

More information and a link to book a test can be found on our coronavirus mass testing pages.
 

Published: 19 February 2021