AS the roadmap out of lockdown continues, Warrington’s community testing programme has expanded from tomorrow, April 1, to ensure residents are able to access regular coronavirus tests and to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Following two new symptom-free testing sites opening last week, there are now five testing sites in Warrington for those who require a lateral flow test (LFT) – two main sites at Grappenhall and the Halliwell Jones Stadium and three ‘pop ups’ at Croft, Lymm and Burtonwood.
Only one in three people who have coronavirus have symptoms, so these testing sites help to reduce transmission in asymptomatic people in the borough.
The testing sites at Grappenhall Parish Centre (previously Grappenhall Cricket Club) and Croft Youth and Activity Centre will also have new opening hours from 1 April, as the sites will be open for longer to make it easier for residents to get tested. Grappenhall Parish Centre will be open from open weekdays, 8am to 2pm and Saturdays 8.30am to 3.30pm and Croft Youth and Activity Centre will be open from 1pm to 7pm on Thursdays.
In Warrington, there are also sites available for people who are displaying coronavirus symptoms to get tested. NHS (PCR) testing sites are open in the town centre and in Birchwood. There is also a mobile testing unit (MTU) at Orford Jubilee Hub every day throughout April (except Good Friday and Easter Monday bank holidays).
Community collect will be available from 1 April for adults that cannot regularly access one of our test sites or do not have access to a workplace testing scheme. People will be able to collect these home kits from Halliwell Jones Stadium and Grappenhall Parish Centre. No online ordering or identification is required when collecting.
Thara Raj, Warrington’s director of public health, said: “Since the first testing sites opened in January, we’ve identified and isolated thousands of symptom-free coronavirus cases. We need to continue with this work by making sure that those who have to leave their homes are not asymptomatic, and the new testing sites will help us with this by finding those who are infectious and don’t have any symptoms.
“This is important, now more than ever, as COVID cases are starting to creep back up in certain areas of Warrington as restrictions are beginning to ease. We have set up several rapid testing sites across the borough to ensure that residents are able to get a coronavirus test easily.
“The three NHS (PCR) testing sites also cover a wide area so it is even easier to get a test when self-isolating if you or anyone in your household starts to develop coronavirus symptoms. Alongside social distancing rules, wearing a face covering and washing your hands regularly, this is the best way to ensure the number of cases stop rising in our local area.”
For more information about community testing in Warrington, visit warrington.gov.uk/TestandTrace
To find your nearest NHS (PCR) testing site for people with COVID symptoms, visit the site finder at find-covid-19-rapid-test-sites.maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk
The new sites will bring the total of symptom-free testing sites to five, with two main sites and three ‘pop ups’:
·Halliwell Jones Stadium – open weekdays, 12noon to 6pm and Saturdays, 8.30am to 3.30pm
·St Wilfrid’s Parish Centre (previously Grappenhall Cricket Club) – open weekdays, 8am to 2pm and Saturdays 8.30am to 3.30pm (from 1 April)
·Burtonwood Community Centre – open Mondays, 7.30am to 2pm
·Lymm Village Hall – open Wednesdays, 1pm to 7pm
·Croft Youth and Activity Centre – open Thursdays, 1pm to 7pm
