Army officer demonstrates lateral Covid tests that provide ‘results in an hour’

9 November 2020, 21:37 | Updated: 9 November 2020, 22:03

Brigadier Joe Fossey visually explains streamlined Covid testing methods

By Maddie Goodfellow

Brigadier Joe Fossey has explained how lateral flow Covid tests that 'return results within an hour' will be used in the Liverpool mass testing scheme.

Brigadier Fossey also explained how soldiers will help organise Liverpool's mass coronavirus testing programme, which began on Friday.

The scheme, the first pilot in the UK, gives anyone living or working in the city the option of regular testing even if they have no symptoms.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the scheme as "having the potential to be a powerful new weapon in our fight against Covid-19".

2,000 Armed Forces personnel have already been deployed to Liverpool to aide the mass testing.

Read more: Vaccine breakthrough: Pfizer's Covid-19 drug '90% effective'

Read more: Pfizer vaccine hailed as 'watershed moment' by scientists

Brigadier Fossey spoke at the coronavirus press conference
Brigadier Fossey spoke at the coronavirus press conference. Picture: PA

And at Downing Street today, Brigadier Fossey explained how the tests work as he urged the people of Liverpool to take a test.

He said: “Its a privilege to help the great city of Liverpool in its hour of need - we relish to opportunity to help.“Over 2,000 troops have answered the call to help Liverpool.

"To date, we have established 19 sites and we are working hard with the authorities."

Read more: When will the Covid-19 vaccine be available and who would get it first?

Read more: UK and global markets surge following Covid vaccine breakthrough

Vaccine breakthrough shouldn't be seen as overnight victory, expert warns

Brigadier Fossey spoke about how the new lateral flow tests and are simple to use and similar to the swab test.

He said: "This is a lateral flow test and these are the tests we are using in Liverpool and they are very simple to use."You will all know what a swab looks like, you will be in an enclosed booth, you put the swab in your mouth then your nose and give it back to the soldier who will complete the test.

"The new piece of equipment is this, a two-inch bit of plastic which is this lateral flow device that produces a speedy result.

"I've taken one this morning to make sure it was Covid-free; the test returns the results within the hour without the need of a lab."

Read more: 'Positive signs' in Wales following firebreak lockdown, says Mark Drakeford

Read more: Europe locks down as coronavirus infections and deaths soar

Jonathan Van Tam says he is 'hopeful for vaccine by Christmas'

Brigadier Fossey added: "We are extremely grateful for such a warm response, more so because so many soldiers come from the city region and are excited to give something back to their communities.

"So our message to the city of Liverpool is clear, we are set up and ready for you to come and get tested, please do not hesitate, make the most of this opportunity - what we are trialling now is a possible route out of lockdown and a way to get on with our lives".

The aim of the programme is to find asymptomatic cases in order to help prevent and reduce transmission in the community.

Testing is being carried out across the city including in hospitals, care home settings, schools, universities, workplaces and using at-home kits.

Jonathan Van Tam says he is 'hopeful for vaccine by Christmas'

Boris Johnson also urged people in Liverpool to take part in a pilot scheme of mass coronavirus testing in the city.

The Prime Minister told its 500,000 residents to "do it for your friends, for your relatives, for your community" in a bid to "drive the disease down".

Mr Johnson told a Downing Street press conference on Monday: "Our first pilot began in Liverpool on Friday in partnership with Liverpool City Council.

"We've tested thousands of people there, but there's still a lot more to do.

"So please, if you are in Liverpool, get yourself along to a testing centre - there are 19 at the moment with more still to come and the more people get tested, the better we can protect that great city and drive the disease down in Liverpool.

"So, do it for your friends, for your relatives, for your community."

The call came as the city's mayor Joe Anderson said 23,170 people have been tested for coronavirus in the city since midday on Friday, with 0.7% testing positive.

He tweeted: "Thank you to those who have so far participated & for those who have booked & are still to get the test.

"Infection rates are now at 300 per 100,000 which is promising."

Discussions for Nottinghamshire to become the next region for mass coronavirus testing took place on Monday afternoon, it has been reported.

The announcement, expected to cover the city of Nottingham and the wider county, would follow the pilot scheme in Liverpool.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Rick Buckler

Rick Buckler, drummer of The Jam, dies aged 69 - former bandmate Paul Weller confirms

Kitchen knives on a magnetic bar holder on the wall

Round-edged blades safer alternatives than sharp-pointed kitchen knives, research shows - in bid to tackle knife crime

A large sinkhole has forced the closure of the high street in the Surrey village of Godstone

Homes evacuated and major incident declared after 65ft sinkhole appears in Surrey village

Lydia Mugambe

United Nations judge forced woman to work as slave after tricking her to come to UK, court hears

Craig and Lindsay Foreman

Did motorbike couple's 'happiness' survey prompt arrest on spying charges in Iran?

Abdirahman Ibrahim has been convicted of murder after driving into the back of Liam Jones

Killer driver mows down e-bike rider to 'teach him lesson' for doing wheelies

The Vatican says Pope Francis is being treated for 'bilateral pneumonia'

New scans show Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs but Vatican says he remains ‘in good spirits’

Meghan

Meghan Markle could face 'legal action' from Spanish town as her new luxury brand logo faces resemblance to coat of arms

The father of murdered schoolgirl Sara Sharif is reportedly being protected by a 'Muslim gang'

Sara Sharif's father protected by 'Muslim gang' in jail after being attacked with jagged tuna lid

Zhenhao Zou is accused of raping three women in London and 7 in China, whilst they were unconscious

PhD student 'discussed rape role-play' with alleged victim, trial hears

Exclusive
Senior Tories including Suella Braverman and Michael Gove have criticised the judge's comments

Senior Tories blast 'out of touch' judge for 'ludicrous attack' on Starmer’s migrant remarks

Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, died in an airstrike, Hamas said

Bodies of youngest Israeli hostage Kfir Bibas and his brother and mother to be handed over as family ‘in turmoil’

Lisa Smith, 43, was with a female friend when she was killed outside the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent

Man suspected of fatally shooting wife outside pub on Valentine's Day rang friend and said 'she's dead'

Carry On legend Julian Holloway dies aged 80

Carry On legend Julian Holloway dies aged 80 after 'brief illness' as tributes pour in

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned 'any appearance by armed forces under some other flag' in Ukraine would be 'completely unacceptable', in a dig at a peace plan floated by Keir Starmer.

Keir Starmer’s Ukraine peacekeeping plan ‘completely unacceptable’, Russia tells US in Saudi Arabia talks

Rita Lambourne, 58, was “fatally wounded” at her home in Bayencourt South, Bexhill

Man charged with axe murder of woman in own home