With you, with the child. Every step of the way.
Broadcast for Early Years and childcare providers in West Sussex from West Sussex County Council - Early Help Service
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Tuesday 9 March 2021
COVID-19 testing for adults without symptoms who cannot work from home is now available at test centres and participating pharmacies across Sussex. West Sussex County Council, East Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council are offering rapid lateral flow tests through a Community Testing Programme. This includes all early years and childcare providers.
Who can get a symptom-free test?
Anyone who lives or works in Sussex who must leave home and does not have access to a symptom-free test through other routes can book a test. This may include those that cannot work from home, or those that need to leave home to volunteer or provide care to others. If you have already been vaccinated, you should still book a test as it is possible to still carry the virus. You must not book a community test if you have any of the COVID-19 symptoms (fever, new persistent cough, or loss of taste or smell). If you have any of these symptoms you must self-isolate immediately and book a COVID-19 test through the NHS or call 119.
Why get tested?
One in three people with COVID-19 have no symptoms and so could be spreading it without knowing. So it’s worth getting a test even if you feel fine. Alongside vaccinations, symptom-free testing is an important addition to the fight against the pandemic and helping us return to life as close to normal as possible. Testing alone will not break the chains of transmission; if you test positive, you must self-isolate, and your contacts must also isolate and get tested too to stop the virus spreading further.
To book
Book your test online at www.westsussex.gov.uk/communitytesting or by phoning 01243 642130. You can make an appointment at any of the participating pharmacies across Sussex, so you can get tested wherever’s most convenient for you. There is currently a small number of participating pharmacies but more are being added every Wednesday, making it even easier to get a test close to where you live or work. The test centres at Hove Town Hall and Moulsecoomb Leisure Centre in Brighton are open Monday to Saturday and there are early and late appointments available.
Testing is quick and easy
The testing process takes around 10 minutes. You will need to take a swab of your nose and the back of your throat, and this will be analysed by a member of staff on-site.
You should receive your result from NHS Test and Trace through a smart phone app or email within 30 minutes in most cases. It is recommended that two tests a week are taken, three days apart.
What should you do if you receive a positive test?
You must self-isolate immediately. You will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and given advice. If you test positive and need support while you are self-isolating, help is available locally via the Community Hub.
What does a negative test mean?
If you test negative this does not completely rule out infection with COVID-19, as there can be false negative results. You should continue to follow the preventative measures currently recommended for stopping the spread of COVID-19, as well as measures implemented as part of the national lockdown.
Testing and vaccinations
The symptom-free Community Testing Programme is separate from the vaccination programme. Please book your COVID-19 vaccination when you are invited to do so.
For more information on the vaccination roll out go to Sussex Health and Care Partnerships website at www.sussexhealthandcare.uk/sussex-covid-19-vaccination-programme
Further information
Go to www.westsussex.gov.uk/communitytesting for further information and advice about symptom-free community testing.
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