Covid swab tests rolled out for residents without symptoms in Tendring COVID-19 swab tests for residents who do not have symptoms of the virus are being rolled out across Tendring this week. Anyone without symptoms can pick up a free test, known as a PCR test, from Clacton Leisure Centre. They then take the test, before dropping it back to the centre to be sent off for processing, with no appointment needed. As part of a joint programme with Essex County Council and the Department for Health and Social Care, the tests are targeted at people without symptoms who cannot work from home, and their families, provided they live or work in the Tendring district.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: With roughly a third of people who have coronavirus not showing symptoms, targeted asymptomatic testing and subsequent isolation is highly effective in breaking chains of transmission. Rapid, regular testing is led by local authorities who design programmes based on their in-depth knowledge of the local populations, so testing can have the greatest impact.
Matt Hancock. Picture: PA We are now expanding this offer to every local authority across the country, and asking testing to be targeted on workers who cannot work from home during this national lockdown, while asking employers to work with us to scale up workforce testing.