Mass testing pilot begins at University - The Worcester Observer

Mass testing pilot begins at University

Worcester Editorial 1st Dec, 2020 Updated: 1st Dec, 2020   0

A GOVERNMENT-backed mass testing pilot has begun at the University of Worcester to help protect people most at risk of Covid-19.

The Lateral Flow tests have been introduced as part of the Government’s continuing drive to increase the availability of testing.

The pilot aims to help protect those at highest risk and provide vital information to help inform further rollout of the mass testing technology in future.

Testing will be available for University of Worcester students who are returning home to vulnerable households.




Lateral Flow devices, like those used to test a large number of people in Liverpool, allow a rapid test result without the need for the sample to sent off to a laboratory.

Dr Kathryn Cobain, Director for Public Health in Worcestershire said: “Throughout the pandemic, we have been working very closely with the University of Worcester to support students and protect the residents of the county.


“This pilot, will ensure students are able to safely return to their families for Christmas.

Ross Renton, the University’s senior Pro Vice Chancellor said: “We have been working very closely with Worcestershire County Council’s Director of Public Health and her team throughout this whole period, ensuring our students have been able to return to their studies in the safest possible way, and are pleased, as a result, we continue to remain a coronavirus coldspot.

“This partnership work involved bringing an accessible Covid-19 test centre to the City Centre, located at the rear of the University of Worcester Arena, for the use of the entire community.

“The majority of our students are mature on entry and live within our daily travel to study area, while a quarter of our students who are studying on health courses are highly likely to receive testing through the new NHS scheme.

“As a university, we remain committed to doing all we can to tackle the virus and to help in the national recovery going forwards.”

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