A NEW walk-through Coronavirus test centre has opened at the University of Warwick’s Westwood Games Hall in Coventry.
It is part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to improve accessibility of Covid testing for local communities.
Testing is available for anyone who has Coronavirus symptoms, such as a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste.
Anyone with one or more of those symptoms can book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
From the start of the pandemic, testing has been prioritised for the most vulnerable, including patients in clinical settings and care home residents, vital health and care staff and to manage outbreaks.
The new site is situated so it 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 while travelling to and from the testing centre.
Anyone attending an appointment at a walk-through testing site will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.
Testing at the new site began yesterday (Wednesday, October 21) with appointments made available each day.
It comes just days after we revealed another new walk-in test centre would be opening this coming Monday, October 26, at Whitefriars Car Park, Whitefriars Lane.
Click here for more on the Whitefriars Car Park, Whitefriars Lane, site.
The sites are part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history, which now includes more than 500 sites available across the UK, including 78 drive-through sites, 208 walk-through sites, 258 mobile units, home testing and satellite its and five mega laboratories.
What if the test is positive?
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, asking them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus. They will be advised to also book a test if they develop symptoms.
Health Minister’s pledge
Health Minister Lord Bethell said: “We continue to expand testing to make sure that everyone with symptoms can get a test, with our new walk-in sites making it even easier no matter where you live.
“This new site forms part of our national testing network, which has the capacity to test more than a million people a week and is growing all the time.
“If you have symptoms of coronavirus, I urge you to book a test today and follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace if you are contacted to protect others around you and stop the spread of the virus.”
The testing centre is being operated in partnership with Sodexo and will offer self-administered tests.
