HEALTH chiefs Dudley are urging residents across the borough to use Covid-19 home testing kits as restrictions begin to ease.

Rapid Covid-19 (lateral flow) testing is now available to anyone without coronavirus symptoms and can help to detect and contain asymptomatic cases.

Health bosses say residents can help to reduce the spread of the virus and keep friends, families and the wider community safe by testing themselves twice weekly.

The kits are free of charge and can be collected from venues including participating pharmacies and other locations across the borough.

To find a collection venue go to https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/.

Lateral flow testing has already been widely used by people from households where people work or attend an educational setting.

The symptom free test is a painless, quick and easy throat and nose swab and results are available in 30 minutes.

Residents who have had the vaccine are also asked to take twice weekly lateral flow tests and all residents are being asked to upload their results to help with the monitoring of cases in the borough.

People who have had Covid within the last 90 days do not need to use lateral flow tests until 90 days after having the virus, as it could return a positive result.

Anyone who tests positive after taking a symptom free test is required to self-isolate immediately and book in for a standard coronavirus test.

Those who test negative but go on to develop symptoms are advised to book a standard coronavirus test at one of the borough’s four test sites.

Karen Wright, director of public health at Dudley Council, said: "Home testing kits have already been made available to workers, parents and carers for some time and I’m pleased we are now going to be able to roll this out to everyone.

"One in three with Covid-19 will not show symptoms and I would urge everyone including those who have been vaccinated to play their part by taking a test twice weekly and report their results online.

"By being able to test at home, it offers people the convenience to do it at a time that suits them best but people will still be able go to one of the symptom free testing sites if they prefer.

"Taking a test is very straightforward and it will help us understand the number of cases in Dudley so that we can keep working together to protect our residents, families and friends."

For more information on symptom free testing and where home testing kits are available go to dudley.gov.uk/symptom-free-testing and for details on how to book a standard coronavirus test (for those with symptoms) go to dudley.gov.uk/coronavirustesting.

For other coronavirus information including details on self-isolation go to dudley.gov.uk/self-isolation.