Army called in to deliver 12,000 Covid test kits in Bolton

31 May 2021, 15:57

Soldiers have been working alongside volunteers and local health teams in Bolton to suppress Covid cases.
Soldiers have been working alongside volunteers and local health teams in Bolton to suppress Covid cases. Picture: British Army

By Joe Cook

A new task force has been deployed to Bolton to deliver 12,000 Covid test kits in a door-to-door effort to suppress the virus, as the latest figures suggest the rise in cases is slowing in the town.

A group of 50 army personnel are working alongside 50 community volunteers to deliver the tests in Bolton, which still has the highest number of recorded infections of the Indian variant of concern.

However, the town is no-longer the Covid hotspot of the UK, with Blackburn with Darwen in Lancashire replacing Bolton as the area with the highest number of new Covid-19 cases.

The resource intensive efforts in Bolton to surge test and ramp up vaccinations appear to be working, with weekly cases down 10 percent in the latest official figures.

There are currently 386.7 cases per 100,000 people in Bolton, compared to 390.1 per 100,000 in Blackburn with Darwen.

Read more: Twickenham Stadium transformed into walk-in Covid-19 vaccination centre

Read more: EU calls to scrap quarantine and testing for Europeans holding vaccine passports

Military medics have also been administering vaccines in the town, with the commanding officer of the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery describing the local teams as "superb".

Peter Griffith, who is leading the team supporting the testing effort, said initially some people were opposed to the army being involved.

"Initially there was certain amount of reticence, I think, about having uniforms on the street, but the calibre of the soldiers that have been provided to do this task is absolutely excellent," he told Sky News.

"Now they have actually blended in and they are really accepted by the community so they are working hand in hand with the local volunteers and the exercise is going really well."

Read more: Half of people in their 30s take up vaccine in England over just two weeks

Vaccine busses have been brought in to provide walk-in opportunities to get the jab.
Vaccine busses have been brought in to provide walk-in opportunities to get the jab. Picture: PA

Dr Helen Wall, senior responsible officer for the Covid vaccine programme in Bolton, said the rise in cases is slowing but that there is no room for complacency.

"I'm pleased to report that things are starting to slow in terms of the rise here in Covid cases, but we really can't rest on that," she explained.

"It's only been a few days of the rates slowing down so we really are keen to keep pushing forwards and get the rates down further."

Meanwhile, Bolton Council’s Director of Public Health, Dr Helen Lowey, called on the residents of Bolton to take a test and take up the vaccine when offered it.

“The community response to surge testing has been outstanding so far, take-up has been strong and our teams have received a warm welcome," she said.

“Thank you to everyone for their hard work so far but there is still work to do."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Grenfell tower cover in white tarpaulin

Government pressed over why Grenfell cladding ‘crooks’ not behind bars

Breaking
Donald Trump is reportedly considering joining Israel in attacking Iran, as officials say the US president is considering a US strike on the country.

Trump considering US strike on Iran, officials say - hours after claiming to know Khamenei’s location

The biggest lottery prize the UK has seen could still be won after Tuesday’s EuroMillions draw had no winners.

Single ticket holder wins largest ever EuroMillions jackpot prize at £208 million

Referee David Coote has been sacked.

Sacked Premier League referee David Coote charged by FA over ‘German c***’ Jurgen Klopp comments

Exclusive
Relatives of the Palestinians killed in Israeli attack, mourn as they carry the bodies to Nasser hospital for funeral procedures in Khan Yunis

Israeli Ambassador denies IDF is 'targeting civilians' as medics say 59 Palestinians killed by IDF at aid distribution centre

The man given a restraining order for stalking British number one Emma Raducanu has been caught trying to obtain tickets for this summer’s Wimbledon.

Emma Raducanu stalker caught trying to obtain Wimbledon tickets after tennis star was left 'shaken' by 'fixated' man

Eight-month-old Mabli had just said a final goodbye to her paternal grandmother Betty Hall, who was receiving end-of-life care at the Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.

Driver who ran over and killed eight-month-old baby in pram has sentence cut

Exclusive
UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador confirms

UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador confirms

Abortion rights actvists gather outside the parliament in support of decriminalisation.

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales in historic Commons vote

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is placed under arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and FBI agents outside federal immigration court on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in New York.

New York mayoral candidate Brad Lander arrested and detained by ICE amid Donald Trump's immigration crackdown

Trump not planning to attack Iran, Starmer insists as US President says he won't kill Supreme Leader 'for now'

Trump 'not planning to attack Iran', Starmer insists as US President says he won't kill Supreme Leader 'for now'

Dame Katherine Grainger

Olympic gold medallist Katherine Grainger and former Cabinet Secretary Simon Case given peerages

Matheus Cunha signs his Manchester United contract

When does the summer 2025 transfer window open and close?

Iranian soldiers in Tehran. The country has one of the strongest armies in the Middle East

Does Iran have nuclear weapons and what is its military capability?

UK's first women-only tower block to open in west London next summer.

UK's first women-only tower block to open in west London next summer providing 'lifeline' to domestic abuse survivors

Screen grab taken from PA video of Katie Wallis (left) leaving Cardiff Magistrates' Court after they pleaded guilty to the harassment of their ex-wife, Rebecca Wallis.

Former Conservative MP pleads guilty to harassing ex-wife