Everyone in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire to be offered rapid coronavirus tests

Tests for people without coronavirus symptoms that give a result in under 30 minutes will soon be available in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.
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Both local authority areas have been named among 67 places in England where community testing will begin as early as Monday (14 December).

Community testing aims to reduce the prevalence of Covid-19 in the highest risk areas. The Government said together with existing restrictions, it “will help put Tier 3 areas on a route out of toughest restrictions.”

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Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire remain subject to the toughest controls on daily life, which will be reviewed on Thursday, 17 December.

Community testing will begin in Chesterfield on Monday.Community testing will begin in Chesterfield on Monday.
Community testing will begin in Chesterfield on Monday.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock urged everyone in both areas to get tested.

He said: "With one in three people with coronavirus showing no symptoms, increased community testing is a vital additional tool at our disposal to help identify those who are infected and infectious, but unaware that they might be spreading the disease.”

The Government said the decision to choose Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire, among other areas, was based on the local infection rate, readiness of their plans, and “other logistical and commercial considerations to ensure testing delivers the best possible value for money.”

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General Sir Gordon Messenger, chief of operations, said: “We want to extend our thanks to the more than 100 local authorities who have engaged so quickly and comprehensively, allowing us to take forward the first stage of the community testing programme, and our operational team will begin to roll these out from as early as next week.”

Chesterfield Borough Council and North East Derbyshire District Council have been approached for comment.