Published Thursday 27 May 2021 at 10:15
School transport worker Carol Thornton has praised the council’s testing programme after discovering she had Covid – helping to prevent the spread of the virus.
Despite having no symptoms, the mum-of-two, tested positive after taking the twice-weekly routine test.
Carol, 59, firmly believes she would not be alive today had she not been vaccinated as having asthma makes her more vulnerable to Covid having a detrimental impact.
She was encouraged to get the vaccination by her manger as a front line worker – transporting special educational needs and disability children to and from school.
Carol is one of thousands already vaccinated across Blackburn with Darwen and has recently experienced first-hand the benefits of regular testing, which has helped keep herself and others around her safe from the spread of coronavirus.
Like many of us starting to make plans as restrictions eased, Carol planned to do a bit of shopping in town on the weekend and go out for a meal on Sunday but that had to be put on hold when she tested positive for Covid and is now self-isolating at home.
Despite her change of plans, she praised the council for the weekly testing procedure that has been put in place for all staff, as without the test, she would have unknowingly spread the virus and infected many people within those two days alone, all without having any Covid related symptoms.
Talking from her home self-isolating, Carol said:
I did the weekly lateral flow test on Tuesday and it was negative, did it again on Thursday and it came back positive – I nearly had a fit when I saw it but I rang my boss straight away and told her. The council were fantastic, they knew exactly what to say to calm me down, they told me what to do next and followed it up with a PCR test.
Carol, who has three grandchildren, added:
I feel lucky that I was encouraged by my manager to have the vaccines. I have underlying conditions such as asthma and I’m nearly 60. I have no doubt that having the vaccinations has saved my life, I know that people have sadly died who are younger and healthier than me.
Also having Covid hasn’t affected me as much as it would have if I hadn’t had the vaccine – I really don’t think I would be here today if I hadn’t got it.
Carol has worked for the council for around 32 years in a variety of roles, from preparing school dinners to working her way up to high level teaching assistant.
She also worked with the transport team, taking children with special needs and disabilities to school on the bus each day.
She has lived with asthma since the age of five, but says her underlying health condition has never stopped her doing anything.
Carol is one of many people who do not have symptoms yet test positive for Covid – this shows just how important it is it continue to get tested even if you have been fully vaccinated.
She added:
Whilst it’s not pleasant to have things put down your throat, it’s worth it in the end because you have peace of mind straight away, help is there waiting for you and you are not on your own.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to make sure we do everything that we’re supposed to be doing and if you do test positive, to make sure you do not leave the house and you tell the relevant people like track and trace, your doctors and your employers.
The council have issued nearly 10,000 PCR kits to schools, workplaces and local residents via the three community hubs located at Corporation Park, Randal St Car Park and Bangor Community Centre.
Almost 1,000 kits have been returned and sent for analysis. In addition two NHS Mobile Testing Units have been located at Corporation Park and Randal Street car park.
Initially, Carol had some concerns about the getting the vaccine.
Reading things I just thought, don’t be a sheep and make your own mind up and I did and I never looked back. I recommend it to everybody I know. We are never going to get rid of the virus if no one gets the vaccine – it’s so important.
When I got my first one, I did actually feel safer. It was absolutely fine – with the first vaccine I didn’t have any side effects whatsoever and the second time, my arm felt a little bit heavy and tender but that was it.
Professor Dominic Harrison, director of public health in Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:
It’s fantastic to see how well our testing programme is working within our borough. When we all come together as a community, we can stop the spread of this virus and the best way to do that is through testing and vaccinations.
Jackie Clarkson, manager for public transport, growth and development, said:
I am proud to see the council leading by example and with everyone continuing to playing their part, we can hopefully start to get life back to normal again. The testing programme is effective and helps to saves lives like Carol’s every day.
People without symptoms of Covid-19 are encouraged to take up the free rapid testing offer twice a week – even if they’ve been vaccinated.
The message is to ‘Test and Go’ before going out to work, visit the shops, hairdressers, hospitality and other businesses and services.
Find out more about where you can get a rapid test in person, or pick up rapid test kits so you can test at home – visit www.blackburn.gov.uk/get-a-test.