Rapid testing can identify cases of Covid-19 among people who do not have any symptoms, meaning they can self isolate and prevent the onward transmission of the potentially deadly virus.
People without symptoms are encouraged to take a rapid Covid-19 test twice a week and are reminded they must report the result, whether positive or negative, via GOV.UK or by calling 119 to help build up an accurate picture of the prevalence of the virus in the city.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "1 in 3 people with Covid-19 don't have any symptoms, so regular testing is crucial – not only in helping identify these cases in the first place, but in reducing the onward transmission of the virus and preventing outbreaks.
“Even if you feel well, you should still take a test as part of your normal routine, to be sure that you are not unknowingly carrying the virus and potentially putting the people around you at risk of infection.
"And once you've taken your test, it's really important that you remember to register your result, either online or over the phone, as this will help create an accurate picture of the prevalence of Covid-19 in the city."
People can collect rapid Covid-19 home test kits for free from the Civic Centre, The Hub at Ashmore Park, Bilston and Wolverhampton markets and WV Active leisure centres.
People can also collect them from selected local pharmacies. Please note, anyone collecting test kits from a pharmacy must now register for a collection code in advance, either online at GOV.UK or by calling 119. Up to 2 boxes of test kits can then be collected by people aged 16 and over.
Anyone who is not confident in recording their test result is invited to take a supervised rapid test at the Civic Centre (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm), the Jamia Masjid Bilal, Newhampton Road (10am to 7pm, daily), and The Hub at Ashmore Park (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9am to 6pm) and at participating pharmacies across the city. The result will be recorded automatically.
Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19, such as a fever, a new and continuous cough or a loss of their sense of taste or smell, must immediately self isolate and book a PCR test by calling 119 or visiting GOV.UK.
For more details about rapid and PCR testing, please visit Coronavirus Testing.
Latest figures show there were 372.5 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the last 7 days. That means 980 people tested positive for the virus in that same period – though the true number of cases will likely be higher.
