Schools open free Covid-19 home test kit collection points

People can now collect free rapid Covid-19 home test kits from a number of local schools.

Eight primary schools and a secondary school are acting as distribution points for the kits, which enable people to test themselves for coronavirus from the comfort of home.

Anyone in the local community can pick up their free kits from Northwood Park Primary School (10am-2pm, Monday to Friday), Rakegate Primary School (11am-3.30pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays), Smestow School (9am-3pm, Tuesdays and Wednesdays), Oak Meadow Primary School (11am-noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays), St Jude’s CE Primary School (2pm-3.30pm, Wednesdays) and Trinity CE Primary School (2pm-3.30pm, Wednesdays).

Meanwhile, members of the school community, including parents and guardians, are invited to collect test kits from St Luke's Primary School (8.45am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday), West Park Primary School (10am-2pm, Monday to Friday) and Warstones Primary School (2-3pm, Mondays and Thursdays).
Other schools that wish to become distribution points for home test kits, either for their school community or the wider community, are invited to email publichealth@wolverhampton.gov.uk as soon as possible.

Brenda Wile, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Deputy Director for Education, said: "One in three people with Covid-19 do not have any symptoms but could still spread the virus to family and friends. Rapid testing helps idenfity these asymptomatic cases and reduce the spread of infection, and we're urging people to get tested twice a week in order to help keep the virus out of our classrooms and homes.

"It's great that local schools are supporting this by acting as collection points for rapid home test kits and I would urge family members and the wider community to make sure they pick up their free kits and make testing part of their regular routine.”

Anyone aged 18 or over, as well as secondary school pupils and college students, can get a free rapid test if they don't have symptoms of Covid-19. Testing is available at the Civic Centre, The Hub at Ashmore Park and the Jamia Masjid Bilal, while free home test kits are also available from the Civic Centre, The Hub at Ashmore Park, PCR test centres, the mobile Covid-19 test unit, Bilston Market, Wolverhampton Market, WV Active Aldersley, WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams, WV Active Central, Wolverhampton Swimming and Fitness Centre and local pharmacies offering the Pharmacy Collect service (details at https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk).

People can collect up to two boxes at a time, containing a total of 14 home test kits. The kits include step-by-step instructions to complete the test, and people are reminded they should register their result, even if it is negative.

Anyone who cannot access collect home test kits or get to a rapid test centre can order boxes of tests online at www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests or by calling 119, and these will be delivered to their home.

More information on rapid testing, including advice about how to take the test at home, is available at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/get-tested.

Please note, rapid testing is not available for people with coronavirus symptoms. Anyone with symptoms, including high temperature, a new or continuous cough, or a loss or taste or smell, should book a PCR test at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.