New rapid COVID testing centre opens in Peterborough

The Nene Valley Community Centre on Candy Street, Woodston has been converted into a rapid test centre and will be open 8am to 8pm each day from Monday to Saturday.

The lateral flow tests are supplied by NHS Test and Trace and are being offered to people aged 18 and over who are key workers and those unable to work from home. The tests are strictly for people who have no Covid symptoms. It is estimated that one in three people who have Covid-19 have no symptoms, which is why the tests are being rolled out to enable those who test positive to self-isolate and drive down the local R rate.

Nene Valley becomes the second rapid test site in the city, alongside St Mark’s Church on Lincoln Road. The site is also open from 8am and 8pm Monday to Saturday but will close temporarily on Thursday (March 4) and open again on Monday (March 8).

Tests can be booked online but have to be done in advance by a person who is asymptomatic and you can book more than one appointment per person.

Strict social distancing protocols will be in place at the site, with each individual carrying out their own test. Helpers will be on hand to answer any questions but people are advised to bring tissues with them as blowing your nose before the test is required.

The whole process, including registration and the test itself takes approximately 15 minutes and results are usually provided in the hour but can take up to 24 hours.

The lateral flow tests are known to not be completely accurate at detecting positive cases and sometimes will return a negative test when someone is in fact positive. That is why the advice remains that people continue to follow the guidelines and act like they have Covid at all times.

Tests are recommended twice a week, with three or four days between each one.

To book a test a Lateral Flow test at Nene Valley Community Centre, click here or to find out more information about the tests go to www.peterborough.gov.uk/healthcare/public-health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-rapid-community-testing.