The government has announced that free, twice-weekly rapid Covid-19 tests are now available to every person in England who does not have Covid-19 symptoms.
How to get the rapid tests
The tests can be carried out at our community testing centres and you can also collect home testing kits from there (for those aged 16+). Alternatively, you can obtain home testing kits via the various methods described below.
If you have not taken this test before, we advise that you first book an in-person test at one of our four community test sites. That way you can learn how to do the test properly with help from testing staff, and while you are there you can pick up a test kit to take home with you.
Community Collect Mobile option to launch on Monday, 12 April to provide home testing kits for collection throughout the district
We are launching our Community Collect mobile option from Monday 12 April for people to pick up home testing kits (lateral flow tests) locally.
Our Community Collect van will visit areas throughout West Berkshire at the same time each week. Each box contains 7 tests.
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Other ways to obtain home testing kits
In addition to the Community Collect Mobile option highlighted above, you can also obtain home testing kits (lateral flow testing) in the following ways:
Please note: If you have Covid-19 symptoms please do not use or book a lateral flow test. Instead, you need to book a PCR test for Covid-19 by either calling 119 or visiting: www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.
Our next fortnightly public Local Outbreak Engagement Board meeting will take place on Monday, 12 April at 6pm. Everyone is welcome to attend this forum, where we will discuss how we are controlling the spread of Covid-19 in West Berkshire.
Join us next Thursday, 15 April, 5pm on our Facebook page to hear about plans to support the district recovery from the impact of Covid-19.
Council Leader Lynne Doherty and Executive Director Joseph Holmes will be online providing an overview of our recovery work and answering your questions.
If you are unable to follow the event, you can email in your questions in advance to: pr@westberks.gov.uk
The video will remain available to watch on the Facebook page after the event, and will also be available on our YouTube channel.
Due to a more constrained supply this month, the NHS is urging people who are eligible for a vaccine, but yet to book their first dose, to do so as soon as possible.
Fewer appointments will be available for first doses this month as the bulk of available supplies are used to fully vaccinate people with a second jab.
If you’re aged over 50, a carer or have an underlying health condition, call 119 or click the button link below to book your COVID-19 vaccination appointment:
Government statement on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine following MHRA update
A government spokesperson said:
- The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is safe, effective and has already saved thousands of lives.
- As the MHRA – the UK’s independent regulator – and the JCVI have said, the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks for the vast majority of adults.
- Everybody who has already had a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine should receive a second dose of the same brand, irrespective of age, except for the very small number of people who experienced blood clots with low platelet counts from their first vaccination.
Covid-19 advice issued for Ramadan
Ramadan is due to begin on the evening of Monday 12 April. The British Islamic Medical Association’s website features BIMA COVID-19 Vaccine statements and Covid Testing Statements including:
- It is safe to have the Covid-19 vaccination during fasting
- Muslims are allowed to have a Lateral Flow Device test (rapid Covid-19 test) or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test during the same period
Emotional Health Triage and Emotional Health Academy
Our free Emotional Health Triage service remains open for referrals, including during the Easter holidays. Our goal is to help children and young people under 19 years old in West Berkshire get help for mild to moderate mental health problems.
The triage service is a route to many different early support options, including services which provide counselling, cognitive behaviour therapy (provided by the Emotional Health Academy), and self-help resources, as well as those who provide specialist support around special educational needs, parenting, crime, bullying and identity issues.
Greenham Trust Online Event: Mental Health Support Resources
Greenham Trust’s next Community Forum will be held on 30 April, 10 to 11.30 am. The free online event will cover the very topical issue of Mental Health and its impact - particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. The forum will also highlight the resources available to help everyone affected by mental health issues across West Berkshire.
The Community Forum will be presented by Laura Farris, MP for Newbury, and chaired by Chris Boulton, Chief Executive Officer of Greenham Trust. Members from our public health team and a number of local support charities and voluntary organisations will be speaking at this event. There will be an opportunity to ask any questions.
Free Recovery in Mind course for adults
Are you feeling anxious about the easing of lockdown? Meeting with groups of friends again within guidelines? Anxiety and negative thought patterns are more common than you think. Learn to overcome these thoughts and feelings by signing up to a free online course from Recovery in Mind: www.recoveryinmind.org
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