More rapid lateral flow tests to be deployed in Sunderland following Washington trial

Sunderland is one of 17 new areas which will get the tests, joining 106 others which have signed up to the rapid community testing to be carried out this month and into January.

The announcement comes after a trial of rapid results was run by the council at the Washington Millenium centre this week.

Quick-turnaround lateral flow tests will be used to help detect asymptomatic cases with the aim of slowing the spread of the virus in Tier 3 areas

PHE scientists at Porton Down have also confirmed lateral flow tests “successfully detected samples” with the new variant of Covid-19, which is spreading rapidly in London and South East England.

Sunderland City Council have confirmed that these tests are separate to the scheme being trialed at the Washington Millennium Centre however no location or start date has been provided yet.

In a joint statement from the LA7 (the seven local authorities in the North East), leaders have welcomed the announcement for community testing.

The statement said: “The seven councils in the North East have consistently worked together in the fight against Covid-19, including on proposals to government for targeted community testing in the settings we feel will have the greatest impact for our residents and businesses.

"This will be an additional tool in our efforts to control the spread of the virus and to support a return to normality in the region, so we are pleased that our approach has been positively received by the Department for Health and Social Care and we await further discussions to provide clarity and assurance on key issues and to ensure this is properly resourced and deliverable.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock urged people to take a test if they are offered one by public health teams.

He added: “I am pleased to confirm 17 more local authorities will soon be rolling out enhanced community testing programmes as part of our plan to pick up more cases, more quickly.

“Roughly one in three people with coronavirus show no symptoms and so it’s essential we broaden testing to help identify those who are infected and infectious, unaware they may be spreading the disease.

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