Somerset’s Public Health leaders are reminding everyone to think about regular testing to help stop the spread of covid as we approach the festive period.

About 1 in 3 people with covid do not have symptoms but can still infect others with the virus. Parents or carers of a school or college age child, health, care or education staff are requested to undertake twice weekly asymptomatic testing using LFDs, so those you meet or work with are kept safe from infection. To help stop the spread, Somerset’s public health leaders are urging everyone to do regular rapid Lateral Flow tests. If you test positive with a Lateral Flow test, you should self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test.

Professor Trudi Grant, Director of Public Health for Somerset County Council, said: 

“As we enter the winter period, we must ask everyone to do their bit to stop coronavirus spreading. Even if you are vaccinated, there’s still a chance that you can pass covid on. You should keep getting tested regularly using a Rapid Lateral Flow Test if you do not have any symptoms, and by booking a PCR if you have any symptoms or feel unwell.

This is especially important when making trips to visit loved ones or attending events and gatherings, where you are likely to meet people from outside of your household. You should also wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed areas where you come into contact with people you do not usually meet.

Finally, when you are invited, step forward for your vaccination – be it the first, second or booster jab. The vaccination remains the best form of defence that we have against the virus.”

There are different types of lateral flow tests. The test you have might be different to one you've done before, so it is vital that you read the instructions that came with your test kit before you do the test.

After you have taken a lateral flow test, it is important that you keep reporting all your test results, whether they are positive, negative or void. By reporting your results, you are:

  • helping the NHS to monitor the spread of the virus
  • helping scientists learn more about the virus
  • providing more accurate data that saves lives
  • supporting people and communities across the UK

To order your lateral flow tests, please call 119, order a test online at www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests or collect them at a local pharmacy with a collection code.