New symptom-free COVID-19 testing site opens at Birchwood

GETTING a COVID-19 test is easier than ever in Warrington as another symptom-free testing site has opened in the town at Birchwood Park.

The new site is located at Chadwick House in Birchwood Park and will be open on Tuesdays, 8am to 2.30pm.

Residents are being reminded to take a few minutes out of their day to take a symptom-free test as more restrictions are eased. One in three cases of coronavirus are asymptomatic, meaning you may not develop symptoms and could be unaware you have the virus, so it is important to get tested twice a week.
Testing should become a regular habit for everyone, no matter how much you socialise or leave your home, with plenty of options to get a test in order to make the process more accessible.
Alongside the new site, free testing is available to every resident at five other symptom-free testing sites across the borough. There are two main sites at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and Grappenhall Parish Centre, and three other ‘pop-ups’ in Burtonwood, Lymm and Croft.
You don’t have to book an appointment at any of the testing sites, however, if you do have any COVID symptoms you should not visit these sites and instead self-isolate and book an NHS (PCR) test at gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.
Symptom-free home test kits are also available for everyone to order online or collect from a symptom-free testing site or participating pharmacy. If you have not done a lateral flow test at home before, it is advised that you attend one of our symptom-free sites first, so you can receive a test and understand what is involved before picking up any test kits to do at home.
Workplace and school community testing is also available, with all these options making the process of getting a twice-weekly test as easy as possible.
If you take a lateral flow test (LFT), either at home or at a testing site, and you receive a positive test result, you must self-isolate and get a confirmatory NHS (PCR) test.

Thara Raj, Warrington’s Director of Public Health, said: “Around one in three people who have coronavirus don’t display any symptoms. Since the first symptom-free testing sites opened in January, we’ve identified and isolated thousands of coronavirus cases in the community. It is important, now more than ever as restrictions ease and people leave home more, that we continue with this work and people get tested regularly.
“To make testing more accessible, you can order tests online to be delivered to you, collect them from local sites to do at home, or visit one of our symptom-free testing sites. Testing is quick and free, and there’s no need to book an appointment – just drop-in to any site during the opening hours.
“I would urge everyone who is leaving home to go to work, shop, or meet with friends and family outdoors, to get tested regularly. Alongside remembering the basics of hands, face, space, and fresh air, regular testing is the best way to reduce the risk of virus transmission.”
Find out more about testing options and how to get tested at warrington.gov.uk/TestandTrace