Super-fast test for Covid-19 being rolled out in Essex, Herts and Luton
You can watch Charlie Frost's piece on rapid Covid-19 testing in Essex here
Mass rapid coronavirus testing to help detect asymptomatic cases is to be rolled out in Essex, Luton and Hertfordshire.
They're some of the 67 authorities across England chosen to take part in the second part of the government's mass testing pilot that began in Liverpool last week.
The rapid tests can give results in one hour or less and should help areas with high rates of Covid-19 get on top of the outbreaks.
It is up to each Director of Public Health in each local authority who the tests are used on and how the testing is done.
Called 'lateral flow' tests, unlike the currently most widely used PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test, they don't need to be sent to a lab to get results.
The lateral flow test is a bit like a pregnancy test as it is a handheld kit, but it uses fluid from a nasal swab or saliva. Within in 15 to 20 minutes it gives a marking indicating whether you are positive for Covid-19.
As coronavirus is a disease which doesn't always produce symptoms in those carrying it, these tests could give people confidence in their Covid-19 status in minutes.
This week two visitors, alongside staff at The Corner House Care Home in Clacton were taught more about the test from private company, '15 Minute Covid'. They also took the tests themselves, their hope, that it could be the key to breaking down the glass barrier between them and their loved ones, living in the home.
Laura Macartney's dad is almost 92, he's been cared for at The Corner House for 18 months following a stroke.
Under current government guidance she can only speak to him through a window or on a video or voice call, but he found that too distressing.
Laura says it would mean the world to be able to be closer to her dad.
Lateral flow, from Liverpool to Luton
Last week mass testing of everyone, symptomatic or not, using a mix of lateral flow and PCR tests, began in Liverpool.
Now, 600,000 of these rapid tests are being sent out by government to local councils, including Essex, Hertfordshire and Luton, with the promise more will be sent weekly after that.
Local authorities were chosen on how high their Covid-19 numbers are. It's now up to them to decide how they distribute the tests, but care homes would like to be top of the list, for visitors, but especially staff.
The NHS has confirmed its staff in England will be getting twice weekly tests and the government has plans for universities to setup rapid mass testing.
But, the picture is bigger than just the huge task of getting students home for Christmas.
It could stop outbreaks at workplaces like we've seen in Norfolk and Suffolk food factories and it could open up our airways again, if testing is rolled out at our airports.
The idea of the private Essex firm, '15 Minute Covid', who were showing their tests at The Corner House Care Home, is to get tests into all businesses, rather than just in test centres, so we could reopen our high streets, pubs, theatres and sports stadiums.
It is believed the speed and accuracy of lateral flow testing offers us the chance to break the chain of transmission.
Those who are asymptomatic but have Covid-19 can find out quicker, and isolate, driving down the R number. And those who test negative, can carry on with confidence.
Which means we could all get closer to the people and the lives we love, sooner rather than later.