You may be aware of a series of ongoing pilots using lateral flow devices (LFDs) to test for COVID-19. This is an on-the-spot test for COVID-19 for people without symptoms, that gives a result in 30 mins. The test is being rolled out, at first, across the country to care homes, universities and hospitals. Directors of Public Health also have access to tests for use in their local communities.
We are exploring how we might best use our testing allocation for our communities. We are considering options for places of worship to take part in this programme as test sites, to offer testing to their members. The aim is to find as many COVID-19 infections as possible in people that do not know they are infectious and could spread it to others, without realising, while attending their place of worship. By finding these asymptomatic infections, the individual can self-isolate to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect vulnerable members of the community.
I was wondering if you knew of any places of worship that may wish to take part in this testing programme? Or, if you would be able to cascade information / an invitation to join the programme to members of the BMFF?
Dr Elliott Roy-Highley
Public Health Registrar
London Borough of Barnet, 2 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, NW9 4EW
Tel: 020 8359 3663
