People living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan can now have a free coronavirus test if they have any of a wider range of symptoms.
As well as the three most common symptoms of Covid-19 - a fever, a new continuous cough or a loss/change of taste and smell - people are now able to get a test if they have any of a new list of other symptoms too.
These include are fatigue, myalgia (muscle ache or pain), a sore throat, a headache, sneezing, a runny nose, a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
In line with the recent Welsh Government announcement, the Cardiff and Vale Test, Trace Protect Service will also be offering a test to all close contacts of those who have tested positive.
Until now a test would only be offered if an individual developed symptoms.
Additionally people living in the health board area are now able to get a test if their symptoms change following a previous negative test result.
The health board says the changes are being made help find cases of new variants of Covid-19 and identify people who may be at risk of passing on the disease to others without knowing.
Swansea Bay and Hywel Dda health board areas are already testing in this way.
Fiona Kinghorn, executive director for public health, said: “The number of cases of Covid-19 has been steadily falling since January.
"In order to keep numbers down and allow the national restrictions to be eased we must find those cases which could otherwise go undetected.
“We know that one in three people who have the virus do not have any of the classic three symptoms and that the new variants of the virus that are circulating in Wales can cause people to become unwell in different ways. We have expanded the criteria for getting a test in line with this to make sure we are able to identify every case that we can.
“Our objective has always been to keep the virus under control and bring an end to the pandemic. It is especially important as lockdown eases that anyone who may have the virus is tested and so as the restrictions are eased our message is simple – if you have any symptoms, get a test.”
Residents of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan can access a test at any of the regional testing centres, or by using a home test kit.
The testing centres for Cardiff and the Vale are located at:
- Cardiff City Stadium, Leckwith
- Museum Avenue, Cardiff city centre
- County Hall, Cardiff Bay
- Former Parkview Medical Centre, Ely
- Colcot Sports Centre, Barry
Tests can be booked online here or by calling 119.
When booking online due to the wider list of symptoms residents should select the option “you have been asked to take a test by your local council”.
The health board want to note that national guidance relating to coronavirus symptoms to look out for has not changed and It is normal for regional incident management teams to communicate a different threshold for getting a test based on circumstances locally.
