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Revealed: Plans To Roll-Out Rapid Testing For Asymptomatic Isle Of Wight Workers

The Island's coronavirus testing site formerly based at Medina Leisure Centre.

The Isle of Wight's most at-risk workers could start receiving regular and rapid coronavirus testing from next month (March).

The Isle of Wight Council has revealed plans to roll-out an initial six-week Community Testing Programme (CTP).

It would see Islanders - who are continuing to leave their home to go into high-risk work settings during the pandemic - offered a COVID-19 test.

The initiative is aimed at those who are showing no coronavirus symptoms (known as asymptomatic).

The council says it is finalising a bid to Government:

"Community testing for those who do not have symptoms is one of the very important ways of combatting COVID-19.

"At present we are finalising a bid to central Government for support in the set-up of community testing sites across the Island – final details are yet to be determined."

If successful, Lateral Flow Testing would most likely be used at the Island's centres - much like it has in other areas of the country.

This type of testing returns results within 30 minutes. Participating Islanders would be required to take a test twice a week.

A council spokesperson added:

“This testing option will be aimed at anyone who has to leave their home to get to work and where there may be a higher risk of exposure to the virus.

"We would hope to begin a phased roll-out of an initial six-week testing programme before the end of next month. People should take the test twice weekly.”

The Government launched CTPs in December 2020, with the aim of reducing the prevalence of coronavirus at a regional level.

At the time, the Government said the tests have a "powerful role to play in protecting the public’s safety and wellbeing".

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