A new fast testing centre has now opened in Pitsea for those who DO NOT have symptoms of Covid-19. 

The new Pitsea Testing Centre, situated at The Place Leisure Centre, 13 Northlands Pavement, Pitsea, SS13 3DU will offer tests for residents in Fryerns (SS14), Pitsea (SS13), Vange (SS16) and Wickford (SS11 and SS12)

This testing centre is the second of its kind in Essex, and will join The Towngate Theatre in Basildon 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.

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

"We must ensure that the brilliant staff at Basildon Hospital can continue to work for everyone." ~ Dr Mike Gogarty

This additional centre has been established in response to the current infection rate in the Borough of Basildon now reaching over 600 per 100,000.

Dr Mike Gogarty, Director of Public Health and Wellbeing at Essex County Council, said: “Infection rates in Basildon continue to be among the highest in the country, and local NHS services are coming under strain as a result. We must ensure that the brilliant staff at Basildon Hospital can continue to work for everyone. 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."

Cllr John Spence, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health at Essex County Council, said: “We are absolutely determined to do all we can to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in Essex, especially in the areas like Basildon where we are seeing rates continue to increase. Targeted testing programmes, starting in the worst affected areas and already being rolled out in schools in the borough, is how we will continue to tackle this. 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.”
 

"Testing and self-isolation will do more than any other weapon in our armoury to limit the spread." ~ Cllr John Spence

Tests are by appointment only, and anyone booking must live in one of the areas described above. Booking can be made by calling 0333 772 6144.

Lines are open from 8am to 8pm, every day including Saturday and Sunday.

FAQs about the targeted Covid-19 testing pilot in Essex

Key messages

• The fundamental of Hands, Face, Space are the first line of defence in limiting the spread of Covid-19. Ignoring social distancing guidance can invalidate the considerable efforts going into trying to manage the virus.
• The next line of defence is testing and the targeted testing pilot which aims to:
  • test asymptomatic people who may be unknowingly spreading the virus
  • find more positive cases earlier to prevent and reduce transmission
• The Government is working around the clock with partners to make sure that tests are available for targeted groups
• The new Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) will test people without symptoms. They will be available in areas that have high prevalence of coronavirus. This will help us break the chain of transmission.
• There are two types of tests in the pilot:
  • The LFT: these new tests take an hour in total and don’t need to go to a laboratory.
  • PCR tests: these tests are already in use around the country. They need to go to a laboratory to be processed and usually take 24-48 hours to return a result. PCR tests will be used as a confirmatory second test when someone receives a positive result from the lateral flow device.

Overview

What is the targeted testing pilot?
The testing pilot will test asymptomatic people. The pilot will begin with testing asymptomatic people in areas with high prevalence of Covid. The pilot is part of the Government’s strategy to explore new ways of testing for Covid. It will
help inform the country’s testing strategy in the future.

Why is Essex taking part?
Essex is one of 67 local authorities selected by the Department of Health to carry out the pilot. The Government’s aim is to hand more control of testing to local bodies that know their communities best, guided by public health evidence on how the tests can best be used to manage Coronavirus. There is a strong case supported by Public Health England nationally to focus effort on contacts of people known to have Coronavirus.

Essex County Council has already developed a successful local test and trace system and our selection for the pilot shows confidence in our ability to further pilot local testing further testing pilot. This is one part of our robust test and trace strategy to combat the virus in Essex.

Who is running the targeted testing pilot?
The testing in Essex is being led by Essex County Council with operational support from Central Government, partner authorities and other organisations delivering specific elements. The Government is providing the tests.

How long will the pilot last?
The pilot began in early December and will be reviewed at the end of December in light of any new Government guidance

What is the new antigen lateral flow test?
The Coronavirus antigen lateral flow test is a rapid rest (immunoassay) which detects whether someone is currently infectious with Covid-19 within 30 minutes. It does not need to go to a laboratory so it is a much faster way to find out if someone has Covid-19.

The lateral flow device uses saliva or a throat or nasal swab to detect the virus. It shows two coloured strips to indicate a positive result and one coloured strip to indicate a negative result.

The test can be self-administered but must be under the supervision of trained personnel. The trained personnel process the test to get the result. The test is intuitive, safe, inexpensive and the results are fast and trusted, so it is well-suited to mass testing of asymptomatic people. It has already been mass tested in Liverpool.

How accurate is the lateral flow test?
The lateral flow test is accurate if performed and processed correctly. As many people without symptoms are being tested, there is still a small possibility of getting
a false positive result.

Does the testing work with the NHS Test and Trace App?
Yes, results are collected by NHS Test and Trace. Data will be published as part of the daily case numbers, including how many cases are detected with this new method of testing. Positive cases will only be recorded if the confirmatory PCR test gives a positive result.

Results from Lateral Flow Testing will be passed quickly to the Essex Contact Tracing Service. This will allow rapid local follow-up and enable us to identify the next group of people who have been in contact with a positive case.

Getting tested

Do I have to take part in the pilot if I’m invited?
Taking a test is voluntary but it is very important that if you are offered a test that you take it. Every test taken allows us to identify the right people to contact to help control spread of the virus and will be a step closer to normality. It is within our gift to control the spread of the virus based on the actions that we take.

How will I be invited for a test?
You will receive a text, phone call, email or leaflet through your door inviting you to book a test. The tests are being rolled out gradually, by postcode and by district. Initially the following areas will be invited:

• Fryerns (SS14)
• Pitsea (SS13)
• Vange (SS16)
• Wickford (SS11 and SS12)

Tests are by appointment only. You MUST book. You can book by calling:

• 01268 962383
• 01268 962384
• 01702 742172
• 01702 742173

Lines are open from 8am to 8pm every day, including Saturday and Sunday.

How do I take the test?
You take the test by applying a throat and/or nasal swab or saliva sample to the device’s absorbent pad. The sample runs along the surface of the pad and generates one or two coloured strips to indicate your result. It takes about 15 minutes to take the test. The lateral flow tests are a new kind of technology which detect the Coronavirus antigen, which is a part of the surface of the virus.

How will I get my test result?
You will be sent a text or email of your test result within two hours of taking your test, or, depending upon the site location, you may be able to wait and get your test result. This will be explained to you when you book your test.

What do I do when I get to the local testing centre?
When you arrive at the testing centre, you’ll be checked against the register and given a test with a unique barcode. You will then be directed to a booth to take the test, under the supervision of a trained team member.
Once completed, the team member at the centre will take your test to be processed and discuss whether it is better to go and receive a text result or wait and get the test result onsite.

How do I get tested if I’m not targeted for the lateral flow test?
If you have symptoms, or if you have been directed to get a test by a health professional, you can book a test on Gov.uk. You will be advised to either go to a test centre or get a postal test, as long as normal testing services are running. You can get a test if you have a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or if your sense of smell or taste has changed. You can also get a test if someone in your household has these symptoms or if you’ve been asked to by your local council.

You cannot get a test unless you have symptom or have been advised to by a health professional.

How will my personal data be used if I take a test?
All data is treated in accordance with GDPR legislation. Only anonymised data will be used for research purposes to monitor the effectiveness of the lateral flow testing methodology. Your data will be stored in line with the Records Management Code of Practice for Health and Social Care 2016. This means we will keep your information for up to eight years before we dispose of it.

After your test

What do I do if my Lateral Flow Test is positive?
If your test result if positive, you need to take a different test to confirm you have Covid-19. This is the PCR test which is more accurate but usually takes 24-48 hours to give a result.

You will be instructed to book the PCR test through the online booking system, and you will have the option of being sent a home testing kit or visiting a testing centre. While you are waiting to take the test and waiting for its result, you and members of your household must self-isolate.

Read more about when to self-isolate and what to do on Gov.uk.

What do I do if my PCR test is positive?
If the PCR test confirms you are positive, you and members of your household will be legally required to self-isolate. You must self-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms started if you have/had symptoms. If you haven’t had any symptoms, your 10 days start from the day you took the test.

If you feel well and haven’t had a temperature for 48 hours, you can stop self-isolating on the 11th day. You may be contacted by the NHS and asked for information to help the NHS alert your close contacts. You will need to upload your result to the NHS Test and Trace app as soon as you receive your PCR test result.

Why do I need a PCR test if my lateral flow test result was positive?
The new lateral flow tests cannot detect very low levels of Covid-19 in a sample. It may not detect the virus if you have only recently been infected, are in the incubation period or have mostly recovered. The second PCR test is a different type of test which is more accurate but takes longer to get a result.

Will my contacts have to self-isolate if I test positive?
You, your household and your support bubble must self-isolate if any of your lateral flow test results come back positive. If your PCR test comes back positive too, you will all be legally required to self-isolate.

Members of your household and support bubble will need to isolate for 14 days from when you took the PCR test. This is because they may still be infectious for 14 days.
Contacts outside of your household or support bubble do not need to self-isolate unless they are instructed to do so by NHS Test and Trace. They should book a test on Gov.uk if they develop symptoms.

Read more about when to self-isolate and what to do on Gov.uk.

Can I get help and financial support if I have to self-isolate?
Eligible individuals who test positive in the pilot are entitled to the £500 Test and Trace Support Payment under the same criteria as testing positive through NHS Test and Trace.

You can only claim this if the confirmatory PCR test is positive.

There are other government schemes and local services that can help you. The Essex Wellbeing Service can help with financial problems, practical tasks, mental health and more.

Visit our Support for residents section for more support services.

You must still follow the government rules and guidelines, including social distancing, wearing a face covering when required and getting another test if you develop symptoms.

Subject to confirmatory of the national process, you will be asked to upload your result to the NHS Test and Trace app as soon as you receive your test result.

What do I do if my lateral flow test/s were positive and my PCR test was negative?
The PCR test is the most accurate type of test, so you can assume you have not had Covid if your PCR test gives a negative result. You should still self-isolate if you have been advised to by NHS Test and Trace or if someone in your household has symptoms.

What do I do if my test was inconclusive?
There is a chance that your test results will come back as unclear, void, borderline or inconclusive. This means the test could not tell if you were positive or negative. You need to go back to the testing centre and take the test again as soon as possible.

Can I have more than one test?
Based on emerging national guidance repeat testing is likely to happen, the precise details of this will be informed by national policy on retesting.

More details about testing can be found here www.essex.gov.uk/coronavirus