City to pilot ‘drop and collect’ coronavirus tests as cases rise

Birmingham City Council has said it will be one of the first to pilot “drop and collect” coronavirus tests in response to a rise in cases across the city.

The authority said the rise of about 60% was “extremely concerning”.

The new service is thought to include self-test at home which will be delivered and collected for people struggling to get to testing sites.

In the week ending 15 August, figures from Public Health England show Birmingham’s rate of infection was 32.1 cases per 100,000 people, with 367 positive tests recorded.

It marks an increase from a rate of 19.7 – 225 cases – the previous week.

The City Council has already announced a ban on non-essential visits to care homes as part of measures to help keep cases down.

In a statement, Council leader Ian Ward urged everyone to “pull together” to ensure the city tackles the threat posed by rising coronvirus case numbers.

“The rise in case numbers, although not currently on the scale seen elsewhere in the country, is extremely concerning – we all need to wake up to the severity of the current situation.

“If we are forced to go back to the dark days of spring it will be because we haven’t collectively done our bit for the greater good of the city.”

Ward said that it was essential to carry on boosting the rates of testing.

“Birmingham will be one of the first councils in the country to pilot a ‘drop and collect’ testing service for those residents who are finding it difficult to leave their home to get a test.

“Nobody should feel forced into going to work when they could be risking many other people because they are struggling to pay their bills and we are lobbying government to ensure people are properly supported financially if they are ill or while they are self-isolating.

“Ultimately, there is a role for everyone here. Now is the time to step up and all do our bit for Birmingham, like never before.”