A COVID-19 testing centre is opening in Teesside next week. 

The community testing programme starts at Golden Boy Green community centre, in South Bank, on Monday. 

It is aimed at people without symptoms and as for residents over the age of 18. 

It is being run by Redcar and Cleveland Council, which is also operating test sites at Redcar Leisure Centre and Loftus Youth Centre. 

The lateral flow tests produce results in around 30 minutes, which are sent directly to people's mobile phone number or email address 

The tests are available for anyone aged 18 years or over - irrespective of where they live – and who are not displaying coronavirus symptoms.

The testing site is open on the following days:

  • Mondays – 8am to 12pm;
  • Wednesdays – 8am to 12pm;
  • Thursdays – 4pm to 8pm;
  • Fridays - 8am to 12pm.

People are asked not to attend if they have symptoms.

Testing sites at Redcar Leisure Centre and Loftus Youth Centre will continue with revised opening hours from 8 March.

These are:

Redcar Leisure Centre

  • Mondays – 8am to 1pm;
  • Tuesdays – 1.30pm to 6.30pm;
  • Wednesdays – 8am to 1pm;
  • Thursdays – 1.30pm to 6.30pm;
  • Fridays - 8am to 1pm. 

Loftus Youth Centre

  • Mondays – 8am to 12pm;
  • Tuesdays – 8am to 12pm;
  • Thursdays – 2pm to 6pm;
  • Saturdays - 9am to 1pm. 

So far 6,898 people have been tested at these sites, with 59 people testing positive.

Anyone not displaying Coronavirus symptoms can book a test by visiting the council’s website at www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or calling the contact centre on 01642 774774.

There are also a number of walk-in appointments available so the public can visit the site for a test during opening hours.

The latest scheme aims to reduce the spread of Covid-19 by identifying residents who are positive but who do not display any symptoms. About one in three people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and will be spreading it without realising.

Anyone with symptoms - which include a new, continuous cough, high temperature or loss or change in sense of smell or taste - should book a test at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test – or call 119. 

Councillor Steve Kay, cabinet member for health, housing and welfare at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: “Expanding our testing capacity into South Bank will allow more of our asymptomatic residents and key workers to get themselves tested which protects their loved ones and the vulnerable in our communities.

“We want to thank everyone for taking part in the asymptomatic testing so far at our sites in Redcar and Loftus. People have stepped up and taken the opportunity to get tested which will help us in our endeavour to return to normal life as quickly as possible.

"We have altered the hours of the testing centres in both Loftus and Redcar to reflect the times when people want to get tested. So far at the sites, we have identified 59 positive, but asymptomatic, people who immediately took action to stop further spread.”

If you are asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace and you are on a low income, unable to work from home and will lose income as a result, you may be entitled to a payment of £500 from your local authority under the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme. To apply, please visit: https://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/coronavirus/Pages/Test-and-Trace-Support-Scheme.aspx