Tens of thousands of rapid COVID tests carried out across Peterborough and Cambridgeshre

Back in February, Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council opened five testing sites aimed at testing asymptomatic people to help control the spread of Covid-19.

There are now seven fixed sites, along with three pop-up testing sites, and both councils have worked with businesses across the region to set up testing facilities at workplaces and encourage workers to get tested regularly.

Since the start of the initiative 41,631 tests have been carried out at testing sites and 29,494 in workplaces, equating to 71,125 in total.

Residents are being reminded that rapid testing is free and available to everyone. There are now several ways to get tested – you can continue to take tests at the testing sites or at your workplace. You can also collect tests to complete at home or order tests to be delivered to your home.

Emily Smith, Consultant in Public Health for Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, said: “It’s great to see that so many people have been tested since the start of the initiative and we would encourage everyone to test twice a week and make this a part of your regular routine. We will continue to actively work with residents and businesses to promote rapid testing and ensure as many people as possible are testing regularly.

“Around 1 in 3 people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and will be spreading it without realising. Regular rapid testing helps to identify these people and control the spread of the virus, which is vitally important now lockdown restrictions are easing and more people are out and about.

“Even if you have been vaccinated you still need to take regular rapid tests to help keep yourself and everyone safe. We all want to get back to a more normal way of life and rapid testing is a key part of helping to achieve this, as well as continuing to follow government guidance.”

For more information about rapid testing and the different ways to access tests visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/rapidtesting and www.peterborough.gov.uk/rapidtesting