Coronavirus testing in Medway finds 126 asymptomatic patients in first week of mass programme
16:19, 15 December 2020
updated: 16:21, 15 December 2020
Unsuspecting coronavirus patients have been identified in their dozens during the first week of community-wide testing across Medway.
More than 10,500 tests have been carried out in four sites at Rochester Cathedral, Rainham, Chattenden and Chatham during the start of a mass testing programme.
In the first nine days of the scheme – carried out by the military and Medway Council – to identify people without signs of Covid-19, 126 people were found to have the virus.
The four testing centres tested 10,653 key workers and targeted members of the community up to December 14 after the first three opened on December 5.
The aim of the programme is to find people unknowingly walking around and spreading the virus and try to break chains of transmission throughout the community.
All those who tested positive for the virus are being told to self-isolate immediately through the NHS Test and Trace app.
James Williams, director of public health at Medway Council, said: "These results show the importance of symptom-free testing; more than 100 of Medway’s critical workers and residents had been continuing their daily routines, through no fault of their own, whilst being contagious with coronavirus.
"Each person who has tested positive will now be isolating and helping to stop the spread in Medway.
"If you’re eligible and have been contacted by Medway Council, you can book a symptom-free swab test at one of our four targeted community testing centres.
"With the government’s announcement of providing Medway with additional testing kits, we are able to build on our outreach testing programme in schools and retail areas and offer tests more widely."
Pop-up testing centres also opened at schools in Medway as teams visited five secondary schools with plans to head to another seven this week.
It comes as Labour opposition councillors renewed calls for a review into whether schools should remain open but faced a stern denial from council leader Alan Jarrett.
Shopping areas are also due to host mobile testing centres.
Medway has some of the highest rates of infection in England – second only to Swale which has returned to the top again with the latest seven day figures showing infections are up again at 643.6 per 100,000.
Seven of England's top 10 highest infection rates are all in Kent – Swale, Medway, Dover, Maidstone, Gravesham, Canterbury and Ashford.
Latest figures show Medway's rate is now at 618.2 per 100,000 in the seven day period ending on December 9.
This represents a 2.1% increase compared to the previous week as data shows the spread of the virus has started slowing according to week-by-week comparisons.
However, the virus continues to be spreading throughout Medway with 1,722 cases recorded between December 2-9 the highest weekly figure taking in the results from the first four days of the new asymptomatic testing.
The Towns' oldest residents have the highest case rates with 1,353.6 per 100,000 of over 90s infected and those in the 85-89 age bracket showing a rate of infection of 1,264.7 per 100,000.
Cllr Jarrett added: "I am pleased to hear so many of Medway’s eligible critical workers and residents have taken up the opportunity of a symptom-free test.
"Medway was the first area in the South East to launch targeted community testing for people without symptoms, and this type of testing is already helping to stop the spread of this deadly virus in Medway.
"Thank you to the military for their continued support in running the testing centres and outreach support – the guidance and support they are providing those arriving for tests is second to none.
"I’d urge those eligible to book the swab test and play your part to slow the spread of coronavirus in Medway."
Concerns have been raised about the accuracy of the lateral flow tests used with the medical director at Medway Maritime Hospital reporting up to only 70% of cases are detected.
Dr David Sulch said these tests are unlikely to provide false negatives.
Anyone who tests positive under the rapid asymptomatic testing programme must arrange to take a PCR test through the NHS symptomatic booking process by calling 119 or visiting gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.
