Since Coventry City Council voted to lower the age cap, parents are being encouraged to send their children to COVID-19 neighbourhood testing centres for swab exams.
Children as young as two years old will be able to take a Lateral Flow Exam beginning on Thursday, February 18. The present age limit is 11 years.
The move ensures that parents of children entering nurseries and primary schools at the moment will be able to send their children for routine assessment. About a third of COVID-19 patients are asymptomatic, indicating they have no signs, and the examination will help parents be sure their children aren’t unknowingly catching the infection and transmitting it to their classmates. Children can carry out their own swabs if they can, but if not, parents may do it for them. Generally, reports come back within an hour.
“I will encourage parents and their children who are attending school to take weekly exams, and to speak to other parents so news gets out about how easy it is and what a difference it can make,” said Councillor George Duggins, leader of Coventry City Council. We will help children stay in school and get back to loving their education and being with their peers if we can test them and keep repeating the ‘Hands, Smile, Room’ messages.”
“Only children of key staff and our most disadvantaged children actually attend school in person, and by sending them for daily exams, parents can enable us to keep schools as healthy as possible,” Liz Gaulton, Director of Public Health for the region, said. The tests are simple, and parents can perform the swabs themselves. While they’re there, I suggest that parents take a test as well. We have test facilities all over the city today, and if someone who has to go to public locations, whether at school or at work, will take weekly assessments, they can actually see a difference in stopping the spread of life and preserving it.
Parents can attend each of the seven group research centres in the area: the Travel Museum in the city centre; the Foleshill Indian Community Centre; the Wood End Moat House Recreation and Neighbourhood Centre; the Allard Way Alan Higgs Centre; the AT7 Centre off the A444; the Westwood Xcel Centre; and the Willenhall Hagard Community Centre. Community monitoring is for someone who does not exhibit coronavirus signs and does not need to book an appointment. Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Opening hours at the centres
Anyone with any of the major signs of COVID should check for a standard test by dialling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus. Visit www.coventry.gov.uk/coronavirus to find out more about research, coronavirus or local limitations, and help.
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