Pilot scheme for mass virus testing in Wales

Hundreds of people were tested for coronavirus in the Welsh town of Merthyr Tydfil on Saturday, as a part of a mass testing pilot scheme.

Rapid tests were offered to residents and people who work in the town, even if they did not have symptoms of the virus.

The borough council said that 560 people attended the testing centre, with results finding six positive results.

The mass testing pilot scheme comes a week after the town registered the highest number of new cases in the U.K, but has also seen the biggest drop in cases, from around 770 cases per 100,000 to below 260.

One of those who got tested was Shirley Jones, whose partner died the day before while awaiting cancer treatment which had been delayed because of COVID-19.

Speaking to U.K. broadcaster Sky, Jones recounted how she couldn't say goodbye to her partner because of restrictions, and urged other people to get tested in the scheme.

"I could have stayed in this morning and not found out because I was grieving, but I knew I had to do the right thing, and come up here for myself and for the community," she said, adding, "I pray to God that everybody who's listening to me now, please come up and have a test."

Kevin O'Neil, the leader of Merthyr Tydfil council, told Sky that the virus was spreading fast in the town because "houses are smaller, communities are condensed".

The testing scheme has been received positively by many in the community - resident Ian Dinham said the council is "right to do this, to try and catch the asymptomatic people, people just walking around thinking it's fine."

The pilot scheme was supported by the military, with new tests giving results within 20 to 30 minutes, and people who test positive being told to immediately self isolate.

(Image Credit: AP)