CENTRAL DEVON MP Mel Stride is urging more people to get tested for coronavirus if they are displaying symptoms. Essential workers, those over the age of 65 and people who cannot work from home are eligible for a test, as are people who live in the same house as someone who falls into one of those three categories. There are multiple sites in Devon, including Exeter, Plymouth and currently a temporary site in Torquay as well. You can also apply for a test if you have a clinical referral from NHS 111 online.
The test involves taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat using a long cotton bud. It is an antigen test so it tests whether you currently have coronavirus, not whether you have had it in the past. You need to get the test done in the first 5 days of having symptoms so it is best to apply for the test in the first 3 days as it may take 1 or 2 days to arrange. Frontline essential workers such as NHS staff are being given priority.
Mr Stride said:
“If you are a key worker, over 65 or cannot work from home, and you are displaying coronavirus symptoms please visit www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test and book a test. There is spare capacity within Devon so it should be possible to get an appointment quickly. One essential worker recently told me they had gone online at 10am, booked an appointment for that afternoon, and that it had taken less than an hour to drive to the site, take the test and drive home again. Two days later they got a text to say the result was negative so they could carry on working.”
