Parts of the North East prepare to roll out COVID-19 testing programme
Video Report by Health Correspondent Helen Ford
Parts of the North East are preparing to roll out a COVID-19 testing programme.
Grangetown is among the first areas to be given rapid tests to use in the community.
The pilot aims to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by identifying residents who are positive but who do not display any symptoms.
About one in three people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and will be spreading it without realising.
Netball coach Geraldine Williams was one of the first people to get tested:
A spokesperson from the community said:
"To have a testing centre right here is excellent. It's right in the heart of the community as well so hopefully with the test centre being positioned where it is, it will encourage people to just come in."
"We might be able to save lives this week. We hope that people who do come through the doors, if we find that they're positive, we've helped save people's lives by getting them to come through the door."
Testing will be carried out through December and people over the age of 18 are eligible.
Meanwhile, another community testing initiative is also underway in Darlington, with tests being made available at the Dolphin Centre initially, with plans to offer tests at community venues across the borough from January.
Darlington Council has already received 10,000 lateral flow tests and they are expecting more.