Swindon public health chief calls for twice-weekly covid self-testing

Swindon's Director of Public Health is calling for people to do rapid covid self-tests twice a week to minimise the spread of the illness.

Steve Maddern wrote in his latest covid newsletter: "You probably know by now that around one in three people who have COVID-19 have no symptoms. That’s why getting tested regularly is the only way to help stop the virus spreading.

"You should do a rapid test twice a week (every 3 to 4 days) to check if you have the virus. If you test positive and self-isolate, it will help protect others from becoming infected.

"This is even more important considering the Delta variant now accounts for over 90 per cent of cases across the country. We know this variant spreads more easily, and there’s evidence that the risk of hospitalisation is higher than for the previously dominant Alpha variant."

Mr Maddern also reminded people that the Government extended the offer of a vaccination to everybody over the age of 18 and urged all adults to take up that offer.

He added: "Once vaccinated you are far less likely to get COVID-19?with symptoms?and are even more unlikely to get serious COVID-19, to be admitted to hospital, or to die from?the virus.

"Two doses of the COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against hospitalisation from the Delta variant. Please take up your first and second jab when called to do so."

Mr Maddern revealed that a further 3,513 Swindon residents had their first dose of the vaccine last week, bringing the total number vaccinated with at least one dose to 133,257, or 54.5 percent.

A further 7,242 residents had their second dose, bringing the total number of Swindon residents fully vaccinated to 98,618, or 40.4 percent.

Jabs can be book at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or by calling 119.