NEW LOCAL TESTING SITE OPENED IN STOCKPORT

A new walk-through coronavirus testing facility is to open for those with symptoms to book appointments at East Area Housing Office, 1 Berwick Parade, Northumberland Road, in Stockport as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing for local communities.

Testing is only available for those with coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. From the start of the pandemic, testing has been prioritised for the most vulnerable, including patients in clinical settings, care home residents and, vital health and care staff to manage outbreaks. 

The new site is situated so it is easily accessible without a car. Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout, including while travelling to and from the testing centre. 

Anyone attending an appointment at a walk-through test site will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

Testing at the new site has started today, on Monday, 26 October, with appointments made available each day.

The site is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history, which now includes more than 500 sites available across the UK, including 78 drive-through sites, 235 walk-through sites, 258 mobile units, home testing and satellite kits and five Lighthouse laboratories.

Anyone testing positive for the virus in England will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them trace their contacts. This will help people to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission.

Close contacts of those testing positive will also hear from NHS Test and Trace, asking them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus. They will be advised to also book a test if they develop symptoms.

Health Minister Lord Bethell said:

“We continue to expand testing to make sure that everyone with symptoms can get a test, with our new walk-in sites making it even easier no matter where you live.

“This new site forms part of our national testing network, which has the capacity to test more than a million people a week and is growing all the time.

“If you have symptoms of coronavirus, I urge you to book a test today and follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace if you are contacted to protect others around you and stop the spread of the virus.”

Baroness Dido Harding, Interim Executive Chair of the National Institute for Health Protection, said:

“Our new walk through sites offer communities better access to coronavirus testing, so everyone with symptoms can get a test. This new site is part of our ongoing work to expand testing across the UK to deliver 500,000 tests a day by the end of October.

“Please book a test if you have coronavirus symptoms: a new continuous cough, a high temperature and a loss or change in sense of smell or taste.

“Everybody should continue to think hands, face, space, and follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace if you are contacted – this is the only way we can return to a more normal way of life.”

The testing centre is being operated in partnership with Serco and will offer self-administered tests.

Kevin Craven, Serco CEO for UK and Europe said: 

“We are pleased to be supporting the Government and the NHS in setting up and managing the new testing centre in Dudley, as well as the testing centres we are already operating.  

“I would like to pay tribute to my colleagues who have worked extremely fast and professionally, and with the other organisations involved, to set up these centres having deployed from other roles within Serco. I know that they are proud to be doing their part in helping the country tackle coronavirus” 

NOTES:

1. Everyone with symptoms can book or order a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus. Those unable to access the internet can call 119 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland or 0800 028 2816 in Scotland to book a test.
2. See more information on visiting a local test site
3. The test involves taking a swab of the nose and the back of the throat, which can be done by the person themselves (self-administered) or by someone else (assisted). Those being tested may experience some mild discomfort but it should not hurt.
4. Anyone taking a test at a test site can expect their results the next day.
5. Testing and tracing are central to the government’s coronavirus recovery strategy. To stop the spread of the virus, everyone will need to play their part by isolating if symptomatic, booking a test as soon as possible, and if asked to do so, identifying their close contacts. This is the best way to enable life to return to as close to normal as possible, for as many people as possible, in a way that is safe and protects our NHS and social care. NHS test and trace - How it works: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works#people-who-have-had-close-contact-with-someone-who-has-coronavirus
6. Following the rapid expansion of coronavirus testing, the UK reached the 200,000 capacity target on Saturday 30 May, including capacity for 40,000 antibody tests a day: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-reaches-200000-coronavirus-testing-capacity-target-a-day-early.
7. See the latest testing statistics here : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public