Totton leisure centre could host rapid Covid testing

TOTTON leisure centre has been included in a list of Hampshire venues that could be turned into Covid-19 rapid testing centres.

Residents could have access to fast results as early as Monday, writes Maria Zaccaro of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The government is currently considering a bid for the roll-out of a six-week mass testing programme across Hampshire but county council bosses said the plans are yet to be approved.

A list of the proposed testing sites has been revealed, which includes the New Forest District Council-run leisure centre at Totton among 11 around the county.

The appointment-only scheme will be aimed at residents who have to leave home for work and are not covered by existing workplace testing schemes.

It would include those who work in supermarkets, childminders, transport and construction workers, as well as volunteers and primary school teachers.

They would all have access to lateral flow tests in a move which aims to identify asymptomatic people in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.

According to HCC, tests will have to be booked online 24 hours in advance. Residents will be invited to get tested every three to five days throughout the six-week programme. Those who test positive will be asked to self-isolate.

The list of proposed locations was revealed during a meeting of Hampshire’s local outbreak engagement board.

Simon Bryant, director of public health for Hampshire, said the move will help cut the chain of infection.

He said: “We are really excited that the programme is there. We are waiting for that approval. We know that a third of the population would have coronavirus without knowing it. That really would help us understand that asymptomatic population.”