The second oldest cathedral in England has opened as a coronavirus testing centre in the battle to bring the spread of coronavirus under control.

Rochester Cathedral is the fourth symptom-free mass test location to open in Medway this week as the Towns deal with the highest infection rates in the country.

The centres – also at Chattenden Community Centre, The Oast in Rainham and the university campus in Chatham – will test key workers and targeted members of the community.

Selected people will be invited to book a slot for a test if they are a key worker or have been flagged as living in a particularly high-risk area.

The aim of the centres is to identify people without symptoms carrying the virus and spreading it among the community unknowingly.

They will receive a result within 30 minutes to an hour via the NHS Test and Trace app and be asked to self-isolate along with their household.

Medway is the first place in the south east to offer targeted community testing for those not showing signs of the virus.

It is hoped to identify higher numbers of positive cases and break the chain of infections for those unaware they are spreading Covid-19 thereby reducing the case rate – which is currently 609.2 cases per 100,000.

Rochester Cathedral, the second oldest in the country, was founded in 604AD and is believed to be the largest place of worship to become a testing centre.

Medway Council is leading the pilot scheme but the centres are being run by the military after 145 soldiers, sailors and airmen from five units formed the Medway Resilience Unit and were deployed to the Towns last week.

The first sites were opened on Saturday and the cathedral's test centre is housed in the crypt – the oldest surviving part of the cathedral.

Each centre is capable of testing 500 people per day and the fourth site means more residents will be contacted by the council to ask them to book their symptom-free test.

Director of Public Health at Medway Council, James Williams, said: “These targeted community testing centres are a vital tool in Medway’s fight against coronavirus, especially at a time when Medway has the highest rate in the country.

"Everyone has a part to play in slowing the spread of the virus..."

"Thousands of eligible people have already taken a symptom-free test and a number of people who took this new test, had the virus and tested positive. They will now be self-isolating, preventing them from unknowingly spreading the virus to loved ones and people they work with.

"Everyone has a part to play in slowing the spread of the virus– continue following government guidance and if you’re contacted to a take a symptom-free test, please book at one of our four targeted community testing centres."

Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Alan Jarrett, said: "With a fourth site opening, we are now able to extend the pilot to more residents – if you receive a letter from Medway Council please do book your free test – it could help save lives.

“Thank you to Rochester Cathedral and to the military for your help in making this all possible. I would continue to encourage residents to act now and book a test if you’re eligible."

Dean of Rochester, The Very Rev'd Dr Philip Hesketh, said: "In a time of emergency, we are glad we can be of service to our community remembering Jesus' words that he came not to be served but to serve and that 'people might have life in all its fullness'.

“We are glad to be working alongside the Royal Engineers, as well as the Armed Forces, as Rochester Cathedral is their spiritual home and we have had a long and close relationship with them over many centuries.”

Lt Ben Williams, Troop Commander at the Rochester Cathedral asymptomatic testing site, said: “We feel hugely proud to be working out of the Cathedral. There’s a big connection between the Royal Engineers and the Cathedral; our memorial plaque is in the Nave and the Cathedral’s builder Bishop Gundulph was the first Military Engineer, so to be here nearly a millennium later in the fight against coronavirus is a real privilege.

“Medway is home turf for the Royal Engineers so it’s only right that we are back here supporting the council response to Covid-19.

"Quite a few of our team are local too, myself included, and it’s not often in the military that you have an opportunity to serve the community that raised you.”

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