CORONAVIRUS: New community programme sees more than 3,500 tested in first week

The symptom-free testing programme, set up at two venues in the town at the beginning of last week, has seen 36 of those tested give positive results.

The Boston Borough Council run operation is offering quick tests at two sites - Tollfield Campus Haven High on Tollfield Road and Peter Paine Performance Centre on Roseberry Avenue.

Leader of Boston Borough Council, Cllr Paul Skinner, said: “I am pleased to hear so many of Boston’s residents have taken up the opportunity of a symptom-free test. Boston was delighted to be able to launch targeted community testing for people without symptoms, and this type of testing is already helping to stop the spread of this deadly virus here in our town.

“Thank you to the whole team behind this programme for their continued support in running the testing centres – the guidance and support they are providing those arriving for tests is unsurpassed. I’d urge everyone to book a test and play your part in slowing the spread of this virus.”

The test gives results in around an hour, and those testing positive will then need to have a full Covid-19 test.

The council has stressed that people who test negative should continue to follow all the guidelines and restrictions

The new type of testing helps identify those who unknowingly have the virus, says the council. It will help provide a more accurate picture of cases in Boston and will help prevent people from spreading it to their loved ones and people they work with.

The 36 residents were found to have tested positive for coronavirus were immediately advised to self-isolate, notify Test and Trace and book a PCR test through the NHS’s symptomatic booking process by calling 119 or visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test to help prevent the spread across Boston and surrounding areas.