A team from Kendal’s James Cropper are volunteering at the town’s new COVID-19 lateral flow test site.
The site, which opened at Queen Katherine School on Appleby Road, is open on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.
The lateral flow tests provide a result within 30 minutes.
Over a dozen members from James Cropper, with other local volunteers and the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, are helping to run the centre by administering tests and processing test results.
The site has the capacity to test around 1,000 people a week.
Regular lateral flow testing of people without COVID-19 symptoms is a key part of the Government’s strategy to control the spread of the virus.
This type of testing helps spot asymptomatic carriers – people who have COVID-19 and are infectious but are not showing signs of being unwell.
If the test comes back positive, it means the person can self-isolate to protect others in the area.
Phil Wild, CEO at James Cropper, said: “Lateral flow testing plays a vital role in keeping communities safe in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.
“With our business being an integral part of the Cumbrian community we are delighted that we’re able to help with the roll out of the testing, which will enable local people to work more safely.
“As part of our continued commitment to the health and wellbeing of our employees, those members of our team at James Cropper who are unable to work from home, will be able to voluntarily take the lateral flow test providing greater confidence that they’re not putting their colleagues, or families, at risk.”
The opening of the new test centre is part of the first phase of sites being opened around the county by Cumbria County Council. In addition to the one in Kendal, four other sites are being considered across the Cumbria region in Aspatria, Carlisle, Kendal, Penrith and Millom. For opening times and more information on eligibility, please visit https://northcumbriaccg.nhs.uk/covidtesting
