- Community Covid-19 testing to begin at Golden Boy Green in South Bank for anyone aged 18 years or over.
- Testing of residents without symptoms to begin Monday, March 15.
- Testing sites at Redcar Leisure Centre and Loftus Youth Centre will continue with revised hours to meet demand.
Residents of Greater Eston can help protect the people they love when community Covid-19 testing launches in South Bank next week.
The lateral flow tests – which produce results in around 30 minutes and are sent directly to your mobile phone number or email address – will be available at Golden Boy Green Community Centre, South Bank, TS6 6SD from Monday, March 15.
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 – 8am to 12pm;
- Fridays - 8am to 12pm.
Please do not attend if you have symptoms. Testing will not be available on Tuesdays or the weekend.
Testing sites at Redcar Leisure Centre and Loftus Youth Centre are continuing with revised opening hours to reflect the times when people want to get tested. 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 7,265 people have been tested at these sites, with 61 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.
The testing will be supported by trained staff and the lateral flow tests will allow residents 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 site for a test:
- a new, continuous cough
- a high temperature; or
- a loss of, or change, in your sense of smell or taste.
If you have any of the symptoms listed above, you 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 testing schemes are being delivered in partnership with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and NHS Test and Trace and will offer self-administered tests.
Councillor Steve Kay, Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Welfare at Redcar & 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 61 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