Army to be deployed in Kirklees to set up covid community testing programme

At yesterday’s Downing Street briefing on Coronavirus, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care confirmed that the government would support the council in building a community testing infrastructure across Kirklees.

Community testing would make COVID-19 tests available to everyone in the borough even if they don’t have symptoms.

Community testing is designed to pick up the virus in people who don’t have symptoms but who could still pass on the infection to others.

The borough has seen a 64 per cent fall in new cases of COVID-19 over the past three weeks.

The Council said it hopes community testing can help slow the spread of the infection and save lives.

The Lateral Flow Tests, used for community testing, are quick to administer and results are usually available within half an hour.

Responding to the announcement, Kirklees’ Outbreak Control Board - a cross-party group comprising the leaders of Kirklees Council’s five main political groups and the borough’s four MPs - issued the following joint statement:

"Testing is a key part of reducing infections. That’s why Kirklees was the first council in the Yorkshire and Humber region to put itself forward to make rapid testing available to everyone, even if you don’t have symptoms.

"It’s great news that the government agrees that community testing could help us identify and isolate more cases in Kirklees. This announcement means they will support us to build a network and will provide military personnel to help us get the system up and running.

"We will start building sites in areas where infection rates have been highest and expand the network so that these quick and convenient tests are available for everyone in Kirklees. Community testing will give every resident of Kirklees an extra chance to play their part in keeping their friends, family and community safe.

"After several weeks when we’ve seen infections falling across Kirklees, we need to build on that positive progress. Community testing for all residents of Kirklees gives us the chance to build on the enormous efforts people have been making.

"Testing is just one of the ways we can all play our part in protecting our community. The best way to stay safe is to continue to follow the public health advice. That means wearing a face covering, social distancing, hand washing and isolating if you have symptoms or a positive test.

"As lockdown ends and we head into Christmas, it’s more important than ever that we look after ourselves and each other.