Super-fast coronavirus tests with 'results available within 20 minutes' coming to Blackpool

New super-fast Covid-19 tests could help slow the spread of the deadly virus in Blackpool and beyond.

Blackpool Council and MP Scott Benton have welcomed Government plans to roll out 600,000 rapid-turnaround tests across the country, with the resort being among those listed to benefit from the scheme.

The lateral flow tests can provide quick results without being processed by a lab. They will be issued to over 50 local health directors across England with each area receiving an initial batch of 10,000 rapid tests as part of a pilot.

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Dr Arif Rajpura, Blackpool Council's director of public health, said: "The availability of rapid-turnaround lateral flow tests provides the opportunity for us to expand access to testing for both symptomatic and asymptomatic residents, which will in turn help us to slow the spread of COVID-19. We know that there are many people in our community that have mild or no classic symptoms of coronavirus and so are unaware that they may be putting others at risk of infection.

"The test itself is able to detect the presence or absence of COVID-19 via a swab or saliva sample. Results are available within approximately 20 to 30 minutes, allowing us to ensure that anyone who tests positive can then follow the guidance on self-isolation.

"We are in the process of planning how to best implement the testing regime and are looking to learn from other pilot areas, such as Liverpool. We hope to start piloting the system within the next couple of weeks.

"We have agreed to work in partnership with Fylde Coast Medical Services, who will employ a team of staff offering outreach testing for vulnerable individuals, such as the homeless. The team will also visit settings such as workplaces and educational environments to offer testing.

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"Positive results from the rapid-turnaround tests will be reported to the NHS Test and Trace system and published as part of daily case statistics. These figures will also specify which cases have been detected using the new testing method."

Blackpool South MP Scott Benton said: "We have already reached a major milestone for testing – delivering on our target capacity of 500,000 a day.

“Mass testing will play a crucial role in tackling coronavirus, and it is excellent to see the Government deploying these new rapid-turnaround tests which can help identify thousands of people who don’t have symptoms but can still infect others without knowing.”