Mass coronavirus testing is coming to Bristol, with one in ten people projected to receive a test each week.
The action plan comes as new data released by Bristol City Council shows the city has the 24th highest infection rate of 149 local authorities in England.
And yesterday (November 10), five more coronavirus deaths were recorded as cases surged by 445.
On the same day Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he had written to 67 directors of public health about providing “10 per cent of their population per week” with tests.
One of these areas is Bristol.
What is mass coronavirus testing and how does it work?
Mass testing means everyone will be asked to be tested, not just those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
This will crack down on transmission of the virus from seemingly healthy people. Those found to have COVID-19 without symptoms can then be told to self-isolate.
A mass testing scheme has already been rolled out in Liverpool.
The testing will be available in mobile testing sites, in Liverpool they were set up in places like schools, care homes and universities.
The new mass testing systems should allow for residents to either book in advance or turn up on the day, depending on the local authority's rules.
When will you get your coronavirus test result?
Two types of coronavirus tests were offered during the Liverpool pilot.
These both involved a swab to to the nose or throat. They were called a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test and a lateral flow test.
The PCR test is more respected, although it can take over a day to yield results as the sample is sent to a lab.
Whereas the lateral flow test is a handheld test which can give a result within 20 minutes. You either place fluid from the nose or saliva to one end of it and a mark will appear if the test comes back positive for COVID-19.
In the future, testing could appear in range of different forms.
This could be a quick test upon entry to a cinema, theatre or sporting event. Or a regular test in hospitals, care homes, schools and universities.
What happens if you test positive for coronavirus?
If someone tests positive then they will be required to self-isolate for 10 days and then NHS Test and Trace will trace their contacts.
All others in the person's household must then isolate for 14 days following either the person's symptoms or positive test if there have been no symptoms.
Self-isolating means you should not leave your home under any circumstance. Anyone failing to self-isolate after testing positive could be fined up to £10,000.
Anyone on a low income who has been instructed to self-isolate could claim a £500 payment from their local authority.
