Everyone in Liverpool is set to be offered a coronavirus test, as the government rolls out mass testing in the city.
Even if people have no symptoms they will be able to get a test in an effort to find more cases and break the rates of transmission.
Two thousand military personnel will arrive in the city later this week to roll-out a huge programme of hundreds of thousands of tests.
Testing will be carried out in sites across the city, including a large number of new sites determined by local leaders.
There will be a variety of ways to book a test, including online, walk-up, or by invitation from the local authority.
Testing will be carried out in new and existing test sites, using home kits, in hospitals and care home settings, and schools, universities and workplaces.
What tests will be used?
Liverpool residents and workers will be tested using a combination of existing swab tests, as well as new lateral flow (LF) tests and ‘LAMP’ technology is due to be deployed in Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for NHS staff.
What is the swab test?
A swab test is where swabs are taken from your nose and throat.
The test involves taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat, using a long cotton bud.
You can do the swab yourself (if you are aged 12 or over) or someone can do it for you. Parents or guardians have to swab test children aged 11 or under.
What is the Lateral Flow test?
The Lateral Flow test can rapidly turn around results within an hour without the need to be processed in a lab.
LF tests uses a disposable device like a pregnancy test, where the nose or tonsils is brushed, and then the brush is placed in liquid.
The government has a "very large supply" of LF tests, which will be able to be distributed through teams of testers in the community.
Liverpool City Council confirmed more information on what they test explicitly involves would be coming soon.
What is LAMP technology?
LAMP technology is more accurate and picks up infection earlier than LF tests but needs a saliva sample to be taken to a mobile lab.
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How will people get their test result and what should they do if it's positive or negative?
Positive results from tests will be collected by NHS Test and Trace and published as part of the daily case numbers, including how many positive cases are detected with this new method of testing.
Results will be received from NHS Test and Trace via text and email.
Anyone who tests positive, using either a lateral flow test or an existing swab test, must self-isolate along with their household immediately and their contacts will be traced.
Those who test negative will need to continue to follow all national guidance.
