Additional testing to combat Leicestershire's rising Covid rates

They are now more than 50 new sites across the county where rapid home test kits are available.

Libraries, leisure centres and community centres are being used to distribute the kits, which give a result in 30 minutes.

They are available to all in Leicestershire who don't have symptoms, have not tested positive within the past 90 days, and have not been in contact with a positive case in the past 10 days.

You can find a site near to you here.

Mike Sandys, the county council’s director of public health, said: “We want to ensure there is an additional layer of support in place to encourage people to get tested. 

“We’re offering rapid home test kits and making them readily available in numerous places across the county. We know this type of testing can help identify people who are infected, but who don’t have symptoms.  

“We need to do all we can to help prevent the spread of the virus as we see that concerning pattern of cases going up.

“It’s vital that people stay vigilant. To protect yourself and others, keep two metres apart, wear a mask to help to reduce the spread of the virus and regularly wash your hands.” 

The county's main sites are located at:

• Blaby and District Social Centre, LE8 4GQ
• Emmanuel Church Centre, Forest Road, Loughborough, LE11 3NW
• Harborough Leisure Centre (Bowls Hall), LE16 9HF
• Polish Club, Melton Mowbray, LE13 0AW
• Marlene Reid Centre, LE67 0LN
• Westfield Community Centre, Hinckley, LE10 0LN
• Freer Centre, LE18 1HQ

Kits can also be collected from Enderby leisure centre, LE19 4LX; Hermitage leisure centre, Whitwick, LE67 5EU; Harborough leisure centre, LE16 9HF; Hood leisure centre, Ashby, LE65 1HU; Huncote leisure centre, LE9 3BN; Lutterworth leisure centre, LE17 4RB; Melton Sports Village, LE13 1DR; Parklands, Oadby, LE2 5QG; Waterfield, Melton, LE13 0BG and Wigston Pool and Fitness Centre, LE18 2DP. 
 
Also available from other community sites, including Braunstone Town Civic Centre, LE3 2PP and The Arc, Loughborough LE11 2UP.