We now have five rapid testing centres in Bracknell Forest offering Lateral Flow Testing for anyone who lives or works in the borough and has to leave home for work, volunteering or a crucial activity, such as caring for a vulnerable person or providing childcare as part of a childcare support bubble.
One in three people with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms and could therefore be spreading the virus without even knowing it.
These centres are available for workers from businesses with less than 50 employees who are not able to work from home.
We appreciate that arranging to get testing equipment directly from the Government and setting up onsite testing can take time. Until these facilities are set up, businesses should send any staff who leave their home for work to get tested at one of our LFT sites.
To book an appointment for a test, staff can visit the Rapid Testing page on the Bracknell Forest council website. Details of the locations can be found on the booking form. The sites offer a variety of opening hours including early morning and evening appointments, to fit around working hours and shift patterns. Testing should be carried out twice a week at the centre which is most conveniently located to their home or place of work.
Having a workforce regularly tested will help to identify any staff who may have COVID-19 without symptoms and therefore reduce the risk of a workplace outbreak which could affect business continuity.
As part of your wellbeing package to staff, please let anyone in your organisation who fits the criteria, know that this testing is available and free. Testing will help them reduce the risk of transmission in their household, by enabling them to self-isolate quickly, and also gives you and your customers peace of mind that your staff have been tested.
What is a Lateral Flow Test?
A Lateral Flow Test (LFT) does not require laboratory processing and so can give a result much quicker than a regular Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test.
LFTs show whether a person is infectious at the time of the testing.
Like a PCR test, the LFT still requires a swab of the nose and throat. However instead of being sent to a laboratory, the result is developed there and then, by placing the swab in fluid, and adding a few drops onto a special device.
Some people may find the test a little uncomfortable. However feedback from those already regularly being tested shows the benefit of knowing whether or not you have the virus and are spreading it, far outweighs this very short period of unpleasantness.
The test should take no more than 15 minutes and you will receive your test result within 30 minutes via the contact details you have provided.
How the test centre will work
Social distancing rules must be followed at all times at the centre and you must wear a face covering (unless exempt) unless you are at a testing station.
Please do not visit the test centre if you have any COVID-19 symptoms. If you have symptoms, however mild, you must self-isolate immediately, alongside your household, and apply for a test via 119 or GOV.UK
We recommend registering for an NHS Test account prior to your first visit which will store your details and make the on-site process quicker. Once you arrive at the test centre you will need to visit the registration desk. You will then be given a test kit and card with a QR code.
You will then need to scan the QR code before being directed to a free testing station. Trained professional will be on hand to guide you through the swabbing process.
Once your test is complete and has the barcode attached you must leave the testing station immediately and wait for your results to be sent to you via text on the number you supplied.
The only exception to this is for people who do not have access to text or email – if you fall into this category you will be asked to wait for your result in a socially distanced area away from the centre, possibly in your car or in the car park.
Test results
If you receive a positive test result:
• You must self-isolate for 10 days
• Everyone you live with must self-isolate for 10 days
• Everyone in your support bubble must self-isolate for 10 days
• Ensure you follow the instructions and guidance by NHS Test and Trace or the Bracknell Forest Council contact tracing team when they contact you to identify your contacts
• Continue to follow the COVID-19 guidelines
• If eligible, you can claim the £500 test and trace support payment – visit the Coronavirus pages for more information.
If you receive a negative test:
• You do not need to take any further action but must continue to follow the current Government rules regarding national and/or local restrictions
• You must remember that you are not immune from the virus and can contract it at any time, including immediately after your test
• You should regularly get retested twice per week with a three to four day gap between tests, (e.g. Monday – Thursday, Tuesday – Friday) this can be arranged to fit in around your shift patterns – book your next test at the Community Testing Page
Wellbeing information and advice to reduce the risk of transmission
It is important to remember that if you test negative, it only indicates that you do not have the virus at the time of testing. You may have been incubating the virus at that time and you can still pick up the virus. In addition, there is a small chance that the result is incorrect. Therefore, a negative test does not mean you have no risk of passing the virus on. You must continue to follow all the health and hygiene rules as well as the current national/ local restrictions. You can find information about restrictions in Bracknell Forest on the Berkshire Public Health pages.
Everybody must follow the hand, face, space guidance in order to protect themselves, their loved ones and their community from the spread of COVID-19.
- Hands – wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water often, and as soon as you get home. Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- Face – wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet
- Space – stay at least two metres away from anyone you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble
Follow the NHS Test and Trace guidance if you are negative but have been in contact with someone who is positive.
If you test negative on your LFT but become symptomatic for coronavirus (new continuous cough, high temperature or a change or loss to your sense of smell or taste) then you should book a standard (PCR) test online or by calling 119 and self-isolate.
If you are COVID-19 negative, but are unwell, please contact your GP as you would normally, or contact NHS 111.
Health and wellbeing advice
You can find information on how to treat COVID-19 symptoms at home and what to do if your symptoms get worse on the NHS website or by calling 111.
Information and support on mental health and exercise during the pandemic can be found on the Bracknell Forest Council website.
If you are self-isolating, then support is available to enable you to complete the isolation period.
If you do not have support available from friends or family, the Bracknell Forest Community Response can help with things including:
• food shopping
• collecting prescriptions
• dog walking
• information and advice
Contact the Bracknell Forest Community Response by:
• email: community@theark.org.uk
• phone: 01344 266911 between 8am and 8pm
Support for those who are struggling with the pandemic can be found on the Bracknell Forest Council website.
Test and Trace support payments
The Government has a new package to support and enforce self-isolation. Visit our Test and Trace Support Payments page for information, eligibility and how to claim.
COVID Winter Grant Scheme
The COVID Winter Grant Scheme is aimed at families who are having trouble with the cost of food and utility bills.
Visit our COVID Winter Grant Scheme page to find out more, or call 01344 352010.
More information on support available, including financial support and advice and physical and mental health support can be found on our Coronavirus support pages:
Business Support
Support is available for businesses during the pandemic via the council's website.
|
