Coronavirus testing for Islanders without symptoms is set to undergo major change over the coming days.
From Friday (30th April), Isle of Wight Council sites are closing in Yarmouth, Cowes, Sandown and Ryde. Instead, many local pharmacies across the Island will become the go-to places for people without symptoms to access free supervised testing on a regular basis.
This service is called ‘Pharmacy Assist’ and will be available from 16 pharmacies from Tuesday 4th May. This is a drop-in service but anyone wishing to have a supervised test is advised to phone ahead where possible, to enable pharmacy staff to schedule appointments and reduce waiting times.
Residents can find their nearest participating pharmacy by visiting https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/ (sites will be live from 4th May).
Where can I collect home testing kits?
Free home testing kits can currently be collected from participating pharmacies across the Island. This service is known as ‘Pharmacy Collect’. People can also order online for home delivery: https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests.
Are there any other changes?
County Hall, Newport, will be open all next week for supervised testing and collection of test kits. The County Hall site will close for good at 19:00 on Friday 7th May.
From Saturday 8th May, Newclose will become PCR testing again only. It will be open 7 days a week, from 08:30 to 16:30.
Simon Bryant, the council’s director of public health, said:
“One in three people with coronavirus do not have any symptoms and so can pass on the virus without knowing it.
“Regular, twice weekly testing for people who do not have symptoms is therefore a vital weapon in our armoury in the fight against the virus.
“Rapid testing on a regular basis gives us all peace of mind that we are not putting our family, friends, co-workers or communities at risk, and pharmacies offer a quick and convenient means of getting a test or collecting a kit to self-test at home.
“Make test-record-repeat part of your weekly routine to help suppress the spread of the virus and protect the people around you.”
Simon added:
“I would remind everyone that a positive result from a lateral flow test means you must self isolate immediately and book a follow-up ‘PCR’ test within 48 hours.
“If you have a negative result from a lateral flow test, you must still follow ‘hands, face, space’ guidance. These simple behaviours and regular testing will help us keep infection rates down and getting us safely on the road to a summer of freedoms.”
If this is to be informative explain abbreviations, what does PCR stand for ?
polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
PCR tests are used to directly detect the presence of an antigen, rather than the presence of the body’s immune response, or antibodies. By detecting viral RNA, which will be present in the body before antibodies form or symptoms of the disease are present, the tests can tell whether or not someone has the virus very early on.
“PCR gives us a good indication of who is infected. They can be isolated and get in contact with people they’ve been in touch with so they can be quarantined too, just in case. That’s the true advantage of the current major diagnostic tests, you can break that transmission chain and get a clearer picture
“PCR detection of viruses is helpful so long as its accuracy can be understood: it offers the capacity to detect RNA in minute quantities, but whether that RNA represents infectious virus may not be clear.” false positives will be given
A list would have been useful, IE. The NHS site says the Cowes Medical Centre pharmacy is participating – good luck with that.
people who have to work wont bother with the fear of isolating and being able to work and earn a living.
i had covid in December got a text from the council saying i could claim £500 so i filed in the online form. I got a reply email saying im not elidable so i dont think ill be doing tests as i need to earn and with no help and tax risers i have no choice.