Northampton train depot among first to take up new offer of Covid tests for staff

Maintainence crews at a Northampton train depot are among the first to take up the Government's offer of rapid Covid-19 tests in the workplace.

The scheme has been widened from business with more than 250 staff to those with 50 employees who cannot work from home.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said urged businesses to take up the offer, saying: "When you consider that around one in three people have the virus without symptoms and could potentially infect people without even knowing it, it becomes clear why focusing testing on those without symptoms is so essential."

A website has been launched for more businesses to register for the rapid testing programme using lateral flow test devices aimed at those without Covid-19 symptoms.

Siemens rail maintenance depot in Kings Heath is among those to sign up allowing the 100 workers who maintain and clean trains for the London Northwestern Railway that run through Northamptonshire to get tested regularly.

Bosses at the engineering giant hope this will provide reassurance to workers and enable prompt isolation in the event of positive tests.

Siemens Mobility's Rolling Stock and Customer Services MD, Sambit Banerjee, said: “It’s important that Siemens Mobility can play its part in finding cases in order to defeat Covid-19 and support our local community to be safer.

"The introduction of regular testing, with almost instant results, helps to prevent the spread of infection as well as provide our employees with peace of mind.”

Northampton already has two centres offering lateral flow device tests to anyone with an appointment — one at Danes Camp Leisure Centre and one at the University of Northampton.

Critics have pointed out the tests — which deliver results in around 30 minutes — are only about 60 per cent accurate because they only prove if someone has Covid, not that they don't.

But health officials insist they pick up one in three cases among people with no symptoms that would otherwise go undetected.

Anyone WITH Covid symptoms — new continuous cough, high temperature or a loss of or change in your sense of taste or smell — you should self-isolate and book a PCR swab test via the Government website or by calling the national booking line on 119.