PEOPLE without Covid-19 symptoms will be able to get 30-minutes tests in Redcar.

The community testing site will launch at Redcar Leisure Centre on Monday, January 25.

It is aimed at key workers and people who cannot work from home.

Cllr Mary Lanigan, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, said: “Despite encouraging progress on the rollout of the vaccine, we cannot afford to become complacent about the threat of coronavirus, which remains a real danger in our communities.

“The roll-out of community testing has the potential to make a real difference in managing the spread of the virus.

“I would encourage our key workers and people who cannot work from home, to grasp the opportunity to get a test, and help protect their loved ones and the wider community.

“If people who show no symptoms but test positive self-isolate, it will not only help to protect their loved ones and the vulnerable in our communities, but it will also enable life to return to normal as quickly as possible.”

The scheme aims to reduce the spread of Covid-19 by identifying people who cannot work from home who are positive but who do not display any coronavirus symptoms.

About one in three people with Coronavirus do not have symptoms and are spreading the virus without realising.

A lateral flow test – which produce results in around 30 minutes – will be available at the Redcar Leisure Centre, Ridley Street, Redcar, TS10 1TD – Monday to Friday between 8.00 am and 6.30pm from Monday, 25 January.

If you are a key worker or unable to work from home and you are not displaying any Coronavirus symptoms you can book a test by visiting the Council’s website at www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or calling the contact centre on 01642 774774.

The testing will be supported by trained volunteers and the lateral flow tests will allow the public to test themselves before the results are analysed on-site. The results are usually available within 30 minutes.

Anyone displaying the following Coronavirus symptoms should not come to the Redcar Leisure Centre for a test:   

·  a new, continuous cough

·  a high temperature; or

·  a loss of, or change, in your sense of smell or taste

Anyone with any of the symptoms listed above should follow the guidance online on how to book a test – https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test – or call 119. Lines are open 7am to 11pm. You will also need to need to stay at home and self-isolate.

The scheme in Redcar is being delivered in partnership with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and NHS Test and Trace and will offer self-administered tests.

Free parking for people being tested will be available in the council-run car park in Kirkleatham Street.

Health Minister Lord Bethell said: “We’ve already come so far since first setting up a national testing programme at an unprecedented pace to help counter COVID-19, but we continue to strive to go further, faster.

 

“Around one in three people have the virus without symptoms so could be spreading the disease without knowing it. Broadening testing to identify those showing no symptoms will mean finding positive cases more quickly, and breaking chains of transmission.

 

“I’m delighted that Redcar & Cleveland Council are working with us to roll out community testing in Redcar, and I look forward to seeing the results.”