BASILDON Council's leader has called on residents to get tested for Covid-19 with or without symptoms.

Gavin Callaghan has called on the residents to either get a PCR or lateral flow test for Covid-19, with the latter being for those who are asymptomatic.

These are rapid tests, and the results for these take just two hours.

As many as one in three people who are infected with coronavirus never have symptoms.

The plea comes after Southend Council also encouraged anyone leaving their home to get tested to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Mr Callaghan said: “We need to increase testing in the borough for anyone with or without symptoms, but especially for asymptomatic people.

"These people could unknowingly be spreading the virus by still going into work, using public transport or going to the supermarket, when they should be self-isolating and keeping themselves and the rest of the borough safe.

“The knock on effect of asymptomatic people not being aware they have the virus and not self-isolating is the virus spreading to our vulnerable residents who could potentially get very ill.

“Getting tested regularly is crucial for limiting the strain on our already extremely overstretched hospitals.

“So I reiterate that if you’re going into work or you’re using public transport, or you’re doing your shopping each week, you should be getting a test at least once a week. This virus won’t go away unless we all do what we can to stop it from spreading.” If you have symptoms, visit www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test, or if not, visit www.essex.gov.uk/getting-tested-for-covid-19/if-you-dont-have-symptoms