Extra rapid testing available in Suffolk
Pregnant women and their support partners will be offered lateral flow tests at Ipswich Hospital
The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) is offering rapid coronavirus tests for pregnant people and their partners from today (17 February).
In line with new national NHS guidance, those attending maternity appointments at Ipswich Hospital will be able to have a lateral flow test prior to being seen.
While refusing the test, which is for those without symptoms, will not impact appointments, ESNEFT is asking people to accept them to keep others safe.
Chief Nurse Giles Thorpe said: "We know some people infected with Coronavirus (COVID-19) can display no symptoms, known as being asymptomatic. But they can still pass the virus on to others.
"By introducing this rapid testing method, called lateral flow testing, we will be able to identify asymptomatic cases, which will reduce the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our hospitals."
People who choose to be tested will need to arrive one hour before their scheduled appointment to allow the result to come back within 30-45 minutes.
Other members of the public will also be able to get lateral flow tests at additional locations in Suffolk from today.
A site at The Pavilion on Recreation Way, Mildenhall, will begin rapid testing today (17 February) and another at The Stevenson Centre in Sudbury will start tomorrow.
Other locations are expected to open over the next week in Felixstowe, Martlesham and Stowmarket, bringing the total rapid centres to 10 in the county.
Suffolk County Council say it is also finalising with the Government the opening of a further 16 smaller sites to serve rural communities.