All employees and volunteers at The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) will be tested weekly for coronavirus for four weeks throughout July after the trust was selected in the latest Government testing pilot.

Residents will also be tested once during this period and new employees and residents will be tested on their first day.

This new pilot is in addition to OSJCT’s existing strategy of testing everyone who displays symptoms.

All employees and residents will be asked for consent before testing.

OSJCT operates Paternoster House in Cirencester, The Lakes Care Centre in South Cerney, Athelstan House in Malmesbury, The Elms in Stonehouse, Henlow Court in Dursley and Grace Care Centre in Thornbury.

The trust employs around 4,800 staff, who provide care for more than 3,500 older people including dementia, intermediate, respite and day care, and specialised nursing.

Dan Hayes, chief executive said: “Our employees and volunteers have been incredible during these unprecedented times, providing the highest level of commitment and compassion to thousands of our community’s residents who need care and support more than ever.

“We continue to lobby for regular testing, and we welcome the opportunity to be included in the Department of Health and Social Care’s latest pilot.

"These new testing procedures will continue the work we are committed too which is to keep everyone safe and well.

"As lockdown measures relax across the country, we will remain at the highest level of vigilance.”