Rhondda Cynon Taf community testing to be extended

RCT Council can confirm that the Community Testing programme currently in operation across Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board area will be extended to four further locations in RCT from Sunday, March 21.

Mountain Ash, Aberdare, Pontypridd and Treorchy will all see Community Testing Outreach Centres operating in each locality, which will be available to residents over the age of 11 who do NOT have symptoms of COVID-19 to attend, with no appointment necessary.

Sunday, March 21 – Tuesday, March 23 (9am – 7pm)

• Pontypridd – Llys Cadwyn (Building B), Taff St, Pontypridd, CF37 4TR.

• Treorchy – Park & Dare Theatre, Station Road, Treorchy, CF42 6NL.

Wednesday, March 24 – Friday, March 26 (9am – 7pm)

• Aberdare – Coliseum Theatre, Mount Pleasant St, Aberdare, CF44 8NG.

• Mountain Ash – Darran Las Community Building (former Cynon Infants School), off Harcourt Road, Mountain Ash, CF45 3PT.

The Council is also encouraging all businesses whose staff cannot work from home – particularly those working in transport (such as bus or taxi drivers), food retail workers or those in the construction or manufacturing industry – to also encourage their employees to take a test to protect their colleagues and families.

The Community Testing programme has successfully operated in the Tonypandy area and Porth, Llanharry and Gilfach Goch, and Abercynon and Tylorstown over recent weeks, with a good response from each of the local communities in coming forward to get tested.

Cases of COVID-19 locally have reduced in recent weeks but it’s important that everyone stays vigilant, especially as we look forward to restrictions being eased.   The programme will now look at some of the larger towns across the County to be available to provide opportunities for testing to greater numbers of residents.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, said: “I am pleased to confirm that the Community Testing programme will be extended to four further communities in Rhondda Cynon Taf from Sunday, March 21, following a successful operation in six local areas over recent weeks.

“Whilst there continues to be a marked improvement in the number of daily case rates and the 7-day average figures, it is vital that we continue our efforts to minimise the spread of COVID-19 in our communities the early identification of asymptomatic cases which could potentially go on to infect dozens of other people and drive an increase in cases locally.

“With as many as 1-in-3 COVID-19 cases being asymptomatic, I would urge all of those in the four communities who are eligible to get a free COVID-19 test to attend their local Community Testing Outreach Centres when they become available.”