Rapid 45-minute coronavirus testing launched in Luton for asymptomatic people

Community-wide Covid-19 testing will be launched this Thursday, December 10, as part of a pilot delivered in partnership between Luton Borough Council and NHS Test and Trace.

Two ‘walk-in’ rapid test centres have been set up at Lewsey Community Centre on Landrace Road and Farley Community Centre on Delphine Close, which the public can access from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. Residents do not need to book an appointment and can just turn up.

A Luton Borough Council spokesman said: "Residents will need to self-administer the test by applying a cotton bud up their nose and also to the back of their throat. They will then return the swab to an operator at the test centre rather than it being sent to a lab to be processed.

"Individuals will receive their results by text or email within 45 minutes."

As rapid tests are a new method of testing, any resident who gets a positive result will be advised to immediately self-isolate, along with anyone who they live with. They will also need to order a Covid-19 home test kit online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119, to confirm they have the virus.

Lucy Hubber, interim director of public health, said: “This has been a huge logistical challenge and everyone has been pulling out all the stops to get everything in place to ensure we can safely and efficiently test as many people as we possibly can.

"For the past few days, the rapid test centre has been operating on a trial basis with selected individuals and their family members who are showing no symptoms being given the opportunity to be tested.

“As many as one in three people with Covid-19 have no symptoms, so testing in this manner presents an opportunity to identify cases of coronavirus that would otherwise be missed.

"Our trial has already revealed some positive cases, so we are confident that rapid testing will be an essential tool in terms of better understanding the transmission of cases in our community.”

Cllr Khtija Malik, portfolio holder for public health, added: “The more people we test, the more likely we are to slow the spread of coronavirus and the sooner life in Luton can return to normal. So please don’t hesitate to come and get tested, you could save a life.

“Case rates in Luton are still very high so please remember you are not allowed to meet socially with people you don’t live with, apart from your support bubble, in any indoor setting including homes, restaurants and shopping centres. I also want to remind residents that they must continue to stick to four golden rules: wash your hands frequently, wear face coverings, keep a two-metre distance and self-isolate if you have symptoms. If we all continue to work together we can keep our loved ones and community safe.”

The council has received 10,000 tests so far and will be able to reorder new tests up to a maximum of 10 per cent of the town’s population each week.

A third test centre will be available to the public in Luton Central Library from December 21.

Luton’s other test sites at Hockwell Ring Community Centre, Bury Park Community Centre, Vicarage Road and at the airport continue to operate for anyone with Covid-19 symptoms (a new continuous cough, or a high temperature or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste). To book a standard Covid-19 test at one of these sites visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119.