Pilot scheme for mass virus testing in Wales

Hundreds of people were tested for coronavirus in 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 town, even if y did t have symptoms of virus.

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

mass testing pilot scheme comes a week after town registered highest number of new cases in U.K, but has also seen 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 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 or people to get tested in scheme.

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

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

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

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

(Im Credit: AP)