A new walk-through COVID-19 testing facility is opening in nearby Runcorn, as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing, as cases continue to rise in Warrington.
Anyone with coronavirus symptoms, however mild, can get a free swab test that takes less than a minute at the Brindley Car Park which opens tomorrow (Wednesday).
Tests should be booked or ordered as soon as symptoms begin at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119 and you can expect your result the next day.
The site 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 travelling to and from the testing centre).
Anyone attending an appointment at a walk-through testing will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely. Testing at the new site will start tomorrow (Wednesday 9 September). Testing is available for everyone, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.
The site is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history, including 73 drive-through sites, 74 walk-through sites, 236 mobile units, home testing and satellite kits and five laboratories.
Anyone testing positive for the virus in England will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them track 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, advising them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus. They will be advised to also book at test if they develop symptoms.
Meanwhile Health Secretary Matt Hancock has today announced tighter restrictions for Bolton in a statement to the House of Commons.
He said: “Unfortunately after improving for several weeks, we’ve seen a very significant rise in cases in Bolton. Bolton is up to 120 cases per 100,000 of population, the highest case rate in the country and I’m publishing the data behind the decisions that we’ve taken.”
The UK government considers imposing quarantine measures on arrivals from other countries when their weekly rate of new cases rises above 20 per 100,000 people.
People in Bolton will now not be allowed to socialise with those from other households. Restaurants will also be restricted to takeaway only and venues will have to close from 10pm to 5am under the measures.
The increases come as Public Health leaders in Warrington have urged people to get themselves tested and to self-isolate, even if showing just the mildest of symptoms.
In Warrington there have been a total of 1,519 cases (723.3) per 100,000 population, with 90 new cases for the Week August 31 to September 6. There have been 154 confirmed deaths since the figures were revised.
Across the UK the daily number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths was 30, taking the total number of deaths to 41,584.
The daily number of lab-confirmed UK cases was 2,420, taking the total number to 352,520.
There are 757 patients currently in hospital and 77 patients in ventilator beds.
To book a test, head to warrington.gov.uk/get-tested-coronavirus
Largest daily increase in COVID-19 cases in Warrington since May
