A NEW asymptomatic testing site offering lateral flow tests is opening at Coventry University – with testing for students from November 30 and rapid results within an hour.
Coventry University is working with NHS Test & Trace to set up an on-campus ATS enabling students without symptoms, who may be infectious but unaware, to be tested and asked to self isolate if they test positive for Covid-19.
From November 30 testing will be available for students at Coventry University’s Priory Sports Hall with further information available here.
Ian Marshall, Coventry University’s deputy-vice-chancellor and chief operating officer, said: “We want to ensure that we are continuing to support our students, colleagues and the communities in which we are located effectively in what must continue to be a united effort to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“The new testing programme is voluntary, but we will do everything we can to encourage students to take up the opportunity to be tested.”
The government is working closely with universities to get asymptomatic university students tested in early December in order to help students return home safely for Christmas. Testing will help to break chains of transmission among students, especially when they are infected but are not aware of it, while also helping to ensure the safety of their loved ones at home.
Health Minister Lord Bethell said: “We’ve already come so far since first setting up a national testing programme at an unprecedented pace to help counter Covid-19, but we continue to strive to go further, faster.
“Innovations such as lateral flow technology hold the key to the next phase of our ambition to see mass, rapid testing available to people across the country.
“I’m delighted that Coventry University are working with us to use lateral flow technology, and I look forward to seeing the fruits of their labour, in helping students return home for Christmas and to return to a normal way of life as soon as possible.”
The testing site at Coventry University will offer self-swab tests. Anyone with symptoms should follow the guidance online on how to book a PCR test – by following this link – or calling 119. Lines are open from 7am until 11pm.
Students will be encouraged to get tested twice during early December using Lateral Flow Devices. If they receive two negative tests, they are advised to return home immediately. Should a student test positive they will receive a confirmatory PCR and have to self-isolate for 10 days, still giving them enough time to return home for Christmas.
Before travelling home, students are advised to: book travel in advance, avoid busy times and routes and check their journey in advance to avoid disruptions. If driving only travel with members of your household or support bubble, and follow these safer travel safety guidelines.
On public transport it is advised travellers wear a face covering unless exempt, wash or sanitise hands regularly, use contactless payment and keep 2m distance where possible.
All students are urged to get tested if there is availability at their university to help protect themselves and their friends, families and home communities when returning home this Christmas.
Lateral flow devices do not require a laboratory to process the test. Processing of these tests can be conducted at a dedicated testing site by trained personnel and can rapidly turn around results within an hour.
Anyone testing positive for the virus will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them track their contacts. This will help people to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission. Close contacts of those testing positive will also hear from NHS Test and Trace, asking them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus.
