First of two new Covid test sites to open in Worksop next week

The community testing initiative, in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care, will begin at Manton Sports on Retford Road on Tuesday, February 2.

A second site will open at Crown Place Community Centre on Sandy Lane on Wednesday, February 10.

Around one in three people who are infected with Covid-19 have no symptoms so could be spreading the disease without knowing it.

Broadening testing to identify those showing no symptoms will mean finding positive cases more quickly, and break chains of transmission.

With its targeted approach, community testing aims to reduce the prevalence of the virus in the highest risk areas.

Bassetlaw has received lateral flow tests as part of a new pilot to enable local public health leaders to start testing in the targeted areas of Manton and Sandy Lane as these have a high proportion of people of working age who are unable to work from home.

Testing will be available for asymptomatic individuals aged 18 to 65 years-old who live and work in these areas.

No appointments are needed.

The opening hours will be: Manton Sports – Tuesdays to Fridays from 8am to 6pm and Saturdays 9am to 1pm.

Crown Place Community Centre – Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8am to 6pm and Sundays from 9am to 1pm.

There is free parking at both sites, please avoid using public transport in case you later test positive.

For more information about testing, click here.

In the coming weeks the community testing will be expanded to target people who work in key industries such as retail, food production and distribution, manufacturing and others that are permitted to open during lockdown.

All efforts to find people without symptoms work hand in hand with the existing free testing service for those with symptoms.

Anyone with one or more of these symptoms – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – should book a test online at the NHS website here or by calling 119.

Coun Simon Greaves, Bassetlaw District Council leader said: “We have worked with our partners in public health at the county council to bring community testing to the district.

"These community testing sites provide rapid tests and this is another tool in the fight to stop the spread and reduce infection rates.

“If you are working in a job where you can’t work from home and are still going into work then I’d encourage you to get tested.”

"However, this will only have an impact on our infection rates if we all keep playing part and follow the national lockdown restrictions in addition to the hands, face, space guidance.”

Jonathan Gribbin, director of public health for Nottinghamshire, added: “We know that around one in three people have the virus but do not have any symptoms, so they could be spreading the disease without knowing.

"Community testing is designed to identify those who have no symptoms but are positive, particularly people who are in jobs that don’t allow them to work from home.

"Testing will enable us to ensure that the necessary advice and support can be put in place so we can to break the chain of transmission.

"Whilst this testing is an additional tool we can use to help drive transmission down, it is still vitally important that everyone in our communities continue to stay at home unless it’s essential to leave the house, and to practice the hands – face – space rules whenever they do.”