Mobile testing success in Settle

A mobile Coronavirus testing unit reaches rural communities across the Dales and was well received when it came to Settle this week.

A mobile testing unit has just gone into action.  It will move from town to town on a daily basis to distribute lateral flow testing kits to those who qualify for home testing, particularly as schools open up.

The pilot project will complement North Yorkshire’s five static sites, at Northallerton, Selby, Scarborough, Skipton and Harrogate, and help the county’s most sparsely populated communities.  It follows a request to the Department of Health and Social Care to make a mobile unit available, offering two boxes of seven test kits to those who turn up to collect them.

Results of the first day, when the unit was in Settle, suggest a strong demand with 30 people waiting when the vehicle arrived, despite the fact its presence was advertised only through social media.  Those who currently qualify for test kits are the households and bubbles of pupils, students and staff at schools, nurseries and colleges.

The service is not intended for people with symptoms of coronavirus, but by allowing the families of young people in school and education settings to test regularly it is hoped it will help to limit the virus from spreading and support the county’s recovery.

Dr Victoria Turner, Public Health Consultant at North Yorkshire County Council, said: “Around a third of people with Covid do not have any symptoms, so the aim of regular asymptomatic testing is to help to uncover hidden cases of the virus and stop further transmissions, preventing outbreaks before they occur.

“Asymptomatic testing is an additional measure we can put in place alongside the key actions of social distancing, wearing face coverings and keeping indoor spaces well ventilated to prevent further spread of infection.”

Matthew Robinson, North Yorkshire’s Head of Resilience and Emergencies, said the county’s extremely rural nature required an innovative approach to ensure everyone had the best possible access to testing.

“In North Yorkshire, we have led the way on many occasions, working with the Government to solve our own testing problems throughout this pandemic,” he said. “This is another example of us supporting people and more rural communities to have easier access to home testing kits. It is particularly helpful for anyone who may have transport difficulties.

“We asked if we could pilot this scheme and we are really delighted to have been given a mobile deployment unit. Wherever that unit is, eligible people can go and get lateral flow tests.”

Each person can take two boxes of test kits, with seven in each and the unit is stocked with 1,000 boxes for each daily run.

“Our hope is that by having this, we can better support those most rural communities across the county,” he said. “It is great for North Yorkshire and an example of the county setting the pace when it comes to finding solutions that help people living in rural areas.”

Cllr Caroline Dickinson, North Yorkshire’s Executive Member for Public Health, said: “This is a very significant development, which offers improved support to residents and it is wonderful to see North Yorkshire leading the way with this service.

“I am sure it will be welcomed by communities, prove to be popular and provide additional help in the fight against coronavirus.”