COVID-19 home testing kits now available for collection from Sheskburn House in Ballycastle

This follows on from the success of an initial pilot at Riada House in Ballymoney, where over 1000 kits have been collected so far as part of efforts to identify asymptomatic cases of coronavirus.

Members of the public and small business representatives (with no more than 10 employees) can drop in between 9am to 5pm, Monday – Friday, to collect up to two packs.

No appointment is needed, however the kits are only available to residents who are not showing any COVID symptoms. Please remember to wear a face covering, practice social distancing and use the hand sanitiser provided on entering and exiting the building.

If you have a high temperature, a new continuous cough or experience a change in your taste and smell senses you must arrange a separate PCR test via the PHA website at https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/testing-and-tracing-covid-19.

Welcoming the continued roll-out of the pilot, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Richard Holmes said: “As a Council we are committed to playing our part in ongoing efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus in our communities. Making these lateral flow tests easily accessible is one way we can do this, as evidence has shown that as many as one in three people infected with COVID-19 have no symptoms which means they can unknowingly transmit the virus to others.

“Asymptomatic testing seeks to identify these individuals quickly and ensure that they and their close contacts can self-isolate, helping to cut the incidences of infection in our communities and keeping us all safer.

“Many of us have now been vaccinated against the virus which is welcome news, and I would encourage all those who are eligible, especially those in the younger age groups, to come forward and book your appointment or avail of the ongoing drop-in opportunities. You’ll be helping to protect yourself as well as your friends and family which is vitally important at this time.”

Each home testing pack contains seven tests and comes complete with instructions about how to use and report results. Please note, you will need to provide your name and contact number (or the details of the person you are collecting the test for) and it will be necessary to report your results online or on the phone.

If the test result is positive, the individual and their household must begin to a period of self-isolation immediately. Contact tracing will commence on confirmation of a positive LFD test. Further details can be found on the PHA’s website at https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/testing-and-tracing-covid-19

Anyone who receives a positive test using a LFD should have a confirmatory PCR test within 24 hours. Tests should be booked at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

If the result of the PCR test is negative the individual and the household can leave isolation and no further action is required.

The public can also collect test kits from the Ulster University Coleraine Campus carpark 4.

Other collection sites may be found on the NHS locator https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/

Dependent on demand Council, in conjunction with the Department for Health, will look to expand the network of collection sites across the Borough to make availability as accessible as possible.