A new fast testing centre has opened in Rayleigh for those who do not have symptoms of Covid-19.

The new Rayleigh testing centre, which opened today (January 5), is situated at The MegaCentre, 7 Brook Road.

And with the latest edition being the fourth of its kind in Essex, the centre will join The Nightingale Centre in Brentwood, The Towngate Theatre in Basildon and The Place Leisure Centre in Pitsea as one of the first places in the county and the region to offer new and fast Lateral Flow Tests to the wider population.

The tests are only for people for who DO NOT have symptoms and give results in around 30 minutes.

Tests are by appointment only and bookings should be made online.

Anyone booking should live in the Rochford district of Essex. You can book a test through the following webpage https://www.essex.gov.uk/getting-tested-for-covid-19/if-you-dont-have-symptoms

Booking online should be the quickest and most effective option for residents seeking a Lateral Flow Test.

If you're not able to book using the online form, you can call 0333 772 6144 to arrange an appointment. Lines are open from 8am to 8pm, every day including Saturday and Sunday.

You can also email: booking.confirmation@nhs.net and a member of staff will contact you to arrange an appointment.

Anyone with symptoms should book a test via the NHS Test and Trace App, or at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

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Dr Mike Gogarty, Essex’s Director of Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “Infection rates in Rochford are rising rapidly - the district has one of the highest levels of cases in Essex and indeed the country.

“We know that local NHS services are coming under significant strain - particularly Mid and South Essex - as a result of the new variant of Covid-19. A critical incident has been declared, with critical care and bed capacity rising as well as high staff sickness and self-isolation levels.

“This additional testing centre will allow us to test even more people in the areas where we continue to see high rates.

"Testing people who feel well will help identify the hidden cases in the community – people who may be unwittingly infecting others. If you test positive with one of the new fast tests, you will be asked to self-isolate, and take a further test to confirm the initial result."

This additional centre has been established in response to the current infection rate in Rochford, now reaching 1,084 per 100,000 people.

This is the latest available data, released on 31 December 2020.

John Spence, cabinet member for adults and health at Essex County Council, continued: “We are absolutely determined to do all we can to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in Essex, especially in the areas like Rayleigh where we are seeing rates continue to increase considerably.

“Targeted testing programmes are how we will continue to tackle this, in addition to following the latest lockdown rules. An appointment to carry out a Covid-19 test will count as an essential journey under the lockdown rules.

“Testing and self-isolation will do more than any other weapon in our armoury to limit the spread.

“Playing your part now means, along with following social distancing rules, going for a test if you live in an area which is being asked to do so.”

Leader of Rochford Council, Simon Wootton, added: “It is welcome news that the Megacentre has been selected as a site for Lateral Flow Testing, as this is one of the best ways that we can work together to combat the high infection rates we are experiencing in the Rochford District. 

 "The Megacentre and our partners have been instrumental throughout the pandemic, during which this site has been used as a community response hub to serve our most vulnerable residents, and I would like to thank them for their continued efforts."