Merthyr Tydfil to be first whole area testing pilot in Wales

Everyone living or working in Merthyr Tydfil will be offered COVID-19 testing as part of the first mass testing of a whole area in Wales.

There will be 14 sites in total. From Saturday 21 November people without symptoms can get a test in Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre 9am-7pm seven days a week. THIS IS ONLY FOR PEOPLE WITHOUT SYMPTOMS – THOSE WITH SYMPTOMS SHOULD USE THE MOBILE TESTING UNIT, WHICH IS CURRENTLY IN THE COLLEGE CAR PARK. Details of other testing locations will be communicated in due course.

The move will be delivered through a partnership between the Welsh Government, UK Government, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and the Ministry of Defence, with logistical support from Armed Forces personnel.

The first site will open at Merthyr Tydfil leisure centre on Saturday 21st November (9am-7pm) with further sites due to open throughout the county borough later this month. Thousands of lateral flow tests will be available for residents and workers of Merthyr and citizens can find out how to access these tests by visiting www.merthyr.gov.uk/covidtesting

The mass testing programme will also see the use of Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) in Wales for the first time. Everyone who attends any of the asymptomatic test sites in Merthyr Tydfil will be given a test using the devices, which can turn around results within around 20-30 minutes.

If an individual tests positive via a LFD test, they will be asked to return home so they can self-isolate immediately.

Those with symptoms will continue to be tested using PCR self-swabs at existing testing facilities.

Building on the learnings from the first mass testing pilot in Liverpool, the whole town pilot in Merthyr will provide vital information to help inform further rollout of mass testing technology in future.

We will be closely monitoring the number of positive results to help us better understand the spread of the virus which will in turn inform actions to prevent further transmission.

Minister for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething, said:

“This is the first time we have rolled out mass testing of symptomatic and asymptomatic people in Wales. It will give us an even greater understanding of prevalence within the community and how many people have Covid.

“We have chosen Merthyr as it has a high prevalence and this mass testing will also help to slow down the spread of the virus in the area.

“The introduction of the rapid testing Lateral Flow Devices is a boost to our Test, Trace, Protect strategy and will speed up the process hugely. This is vital technology which I hope will play an important role in our fight against this deadly virus.”

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Leader Cllr Kevin O’Neill said:

"We’ve all been alarmed by the high number of cases in Merthyr Tydfil and action is needed to respond as a community to protect our residents.

“Testing is important even if you don’t have symptoms.  We learned this week that in Liverpool, where a Covid-19 testing trial has been carried out, 700 people were found to have unknowingly had the virus - these were cases that would not have been detected otherwise.

“The Council will be throwing its support behind this significant undertaking in the coming weeks and encouraging as many of our residents as possible to play their part in trying to bring this virus under some sort of control.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said:

“By testing more people, including those without symptoms, we are able to find more positive cases of the virus and break chains of transmission. Building on the learnings from the first whole city testing pilot in Liverpool and using the latest rapid tests, this pilot in Merthyr will provide vital understanding of how we can further roll-out mass testing, as well as suppressing the virus and peace of mind for residents of Merthyr.

“I want to thank the Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council, Welsh Government and the armed forces for their work in making this pilot possible and bringing a test to everyone who needs one.

“I urge everyone in Merthyr to play their part in bringing this virus under control by getting a test, and by following restrictions in place.”