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COVID-19 remains a risk to Sandwell residents, workers and students as it’s still possible to catch and spread the virus, even if you are fully vaccinated.

Testing helps to make sure you do not spread infection.

Regular testing also makes it easier for health professionals to detect and track people with COVID-19, to trace contacts, and to help prevent the further spread of infection.

The most important symptoms of COVID-19 are the recent onset of any of the following:

• a new continuous cough

• a high temperature

• a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should arrange to take a PCR test as soon as possible and wait for the results. You must self-isolate if you test positive. You must self-isolate from the day your symptoms started and the next ten full days; or from the day your test was taken, if you do not have symptoms, and the next ten full days.

You can order a PCR test kit to be sent to your home, or book an appointment at a test site. Visit www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test for more information.

But around one in three people with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms. This means they could be spreading the virus without knowing it. You should do a rapid lateral flow test twice a week (every three to four days) to check if you have the virus. If you test positive, arrange to take a PCR test as soon as possible.

You can order lateral flow test kits to be sent to your home by visiting www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests Or you can get up to two packs of seven rapid tests from a local pharmacy.

For more information about COVID-19 testing, visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/

Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for adults, social care and health, said: “Our community has taken public health messages seriously and incorporated them into their lives, including the need to be tested when necessary. Because of these actions, Sandwell has managed to keep its case rates down lower than the national and regional averages for many weeks.

“We can all play our part by understanding the situations where risks of COVID-19 infection and transmission are likely to be higher, and taking action to reduce these risks. Even if you’re vaccinated, there’s still a chance you can pass COVID-19 on, so you should keep getting tested regularly.”