Cornish businesses offered free lateral flow tests to help stop coronavirus outbreaks
Cornwall Council has launched a new scheme called STAR to promote rapid testing
Business in Cornwall are being offered free lateral flow tests to help stop outbreaks of coronavirus in the workplace.
The council has launched its STAR programme to promote rapid testing.
The authority says it can easily sneak in, because one in three people who have caught Covid do not show any symptoms.
Health officials are backing the scheme, after it was confirmed our main hospitals were treating at least 40 patients with the virus.
The Chamber of Commerce is also encouraging firms to sign up, saying the summer surge in cases of Covid and the 'pingdemic' has hit Cornwall hard.
Dr Caroline Court, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and the Council’s lead on testing, said: “One in three people with Covid-19 have no symptoms so the virus can easily sneak into workplaces and infect high numbers of staff.
“However, if everyone is taking regular Lateral Flow Tests there’s a much better chance that positive cases will be identified, and asked to self-isolate, before it turns into an outbreak situation.
“This is why we’re encouraging as many businesses as possible across Cornwall to become STAR businesses in the fight against Covid".
Cllr Dr Andy Virr, Portfolio Holder for Adults and Public Health, added: “This is a great scheme and another example of how this council is supporting businesses through the pandemic.
“Staff shortages due to people being off sick or self-isolating have taken a toll on many businesses recently but by ensuring employees test regularly there's a much better chance that shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes can continue to operate as normally as possible, without Covid spoiling the party".
Business that sign up are being urged to put posters in their windows to encourage other firms to follow suit.
More information about the STAR scheme can be found on Cornwall Council's website.