A new way to collect rapid Covid-19 tests from pharmacies

Friday, 1 October 2021 18:04

From Monday (4 October) there will be a new way to collect rapid Covid-19 tests from pharmacies in Wolverhampton and across England.

Anyone collecting test kits from a pharmacy must first register for a collection code, either online at www.gov.uk/get-collect-code or by calling NHS 119. Up to two boxes of test kits can then be collected by anyone over the age of 16.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “With one in three people who test positive for Covid-19 not having any symptoms, regular testing, ideally twice a week, is crucial in to reducing onward transmission of the virus and preventing outbreaks.

“Even if you feel well, you should still take a test as part of your normal routine, to be sure that you are not unknowingly carrying the virus and potentially putting the people around you at risk of infection.

“Please also remember that if you do have coronavirus symptoms, such as a fever, new and continuous cough or a loss of your sense of taste or smell, you should self-isolate and book a PCR test instead.”

Rapid Covid-19 home test kits can also be collected from other locations around Wolverhampton, without needing a collection code. These include the Civic Centre, Ashmore Park Hub, Bilston and Wolverhampton markets, WV Active sites and from some schools. Details of these collection points can be found at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/athometestkits

Alternatively, supervised testing is available at rapid test centres and in participating pharmacies across the city. For details please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/get-tested

Anyone who cannot collect home test kits, or get to a rapid test centre, can order tests for home delivery. This can be done online at www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests or by calling NHS 119.

Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus, such as a fever, a new and continuous cough or a change to their sense of taste or smell should not take an LFT test. Instead, they should immediately self-isolate and book a PCR test. This can be done online at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or be calling NHS 119.

The latest figures show that there were 361.2 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the last seven days. That means 950 people tested positive for the virus in that same time period, although the true number of new cases is likely to be higher.