New rapid Covid testing centre to open at Malvern Library - The Malvern Observer

New rapid Covid testing centre to open at Malvern Library

Malvern Editorial 11th Mar, 2021   0

A NEW Rapid Covid Testing Centre will open at Malvern Library tomorrow (Friday).

People aged 18 or over, living or working in the Malvern Hills area who do not have any symptoms, will be able to book a free rapid Covid test, at Malvern Library, Graham Road, Malvern, between 10.30am and 4.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and between 10.30am and 3.30pm on Saturday.

The aim of the testing is to help drive down transmission.

One in three people who are infected with Covid-19 have no symptoms, so could be spreading the disease without knowing it.




Broadening testing to identify people without symptoms, means finding positive cases more quickly and breaking the chains of transmission.

Walk-in appointments are available or a test can be pre-booked using this online booking link https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/LateralFlowTesting


A new type of technology is used for rapid turnaround Covid tests. Results are provided within an hour as the devices used do not require a laboratory to process the test.

Dr Kathryn Cobain, Director of Public Health in Worcestershire said: “It’s great to see Malvern Library offering support to the local community by becoming the next rapid flow testing site.

“Everyone has been working so hard to get the number of cases of Covid-19 down.

“Now people in the Malvern area have another choice of where to get a rapid flow test.”

She urged anyone who tests positive to self-isolate so they know they are not passing the virus onto anyone else.

“By doing this we are all helping to protect our family and loved ones, as well as our community.”

Hannah Perrott, Worcestershire County Council’s assistant director for communities, said the authority was delighted to be able to support the local community.

“Malvern Library offers a convenient new location for local people to get a free rapid flow test.

“Libraries remain open, throughout lockdown, to provide essential IT access for those without computers and internet at home, and to provide a Reserve and Collect service, so this gives people a great opportunity to get tested while visiting the library.”

Coun John Smith, Cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing said: “I am so pleased that we are continuing to grow the number of opportunities across the county to get tested conveniently.

“Many people are unaware that they are spreading coronavirus and this rapid Covid testing will really help us to break the chains of transmission.”

Visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/communitytesting for more on Covid testing.

Free rapid Covid-19 tests are also available from some pharmacies across Worcestershire

To book a test in one the participating pharmacies, go to www.worcestershire.gov.uk/coronavirus.

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