A rapid COVID-19 testing service called Community Collect launches next week in Rutland.

Community Collect supports the expansion of asymptomatic testing by allowing for the distribution of self-test kits to individual households to test at home.

The service, starting on Monday, is available for adults in households with children at nursery, primary, secondary schools and colleges, members of child care support bubbles, as well as those in occupations such as child minders, school bus drivers.

Each household will be able to regularly collect up to two boxes of seven tests from local collection points to support testing twice weekly. One adult from a household can collect tests from a variety of locations and times (attached). There is no need to book but social distancing guidelines must be followed.

Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health for Rutland County Council, said: "The Community collect service will help identify people who are asymptomatic but are unknowingly carrying the Covid-19 virus. The test is quick to take and provides rapid results in just 30 minutes. This means that when a negative result is received, that person can go about their day, and not have to isolate while waiting for results.

"The roll out of the service and other testing and vaccination measures does not replace the need for social distancing measures, good hand hygiene and the wearing of face masks. It's still important for residents to remember hands, face and space."

Residents who have symptoms of COVID-19 or anyone who should be self-isolating should not attend the collection points. Instead they should book a test through the gov.uk website or call 119, and self-isolate until they receive their test result.

Individuals who report a positive lateral flow self-test will be directed to undertake a confirmatory PCR test by either ordering one online or by booking to attend a regional or local test site.

Information on the Community collect service can be found here.

Residents can also find check site availability and collection points here.