2,000 get tested in four days as Delta hits home
Indian variant of coronavirus was found at schools and pubs across the Moorlands...
MORE than 2,000 residents in Leek have turned out for testing in just four days.
The testing push is in response to an outbreak of the Delta Variant of Concern (VOC) first identified in India.
Families with links to any school in Leek, and patrons of two hospitality venues, were urged to get tested to help determine the potential spread of the variant and stop it in its tracks.
Extra testing was convened at St Edward’s Church of England Academy, Leek High School and Westwood College, to make it as convenient as possible for local people to get tested.
Testing will continue until June 12 at Leek Britannia HQ, Newton House, and is bookable via the government testing site.
Dr Richard Harling, director for health and care at Staffordshire County Council, said: “The response from the people of Leek to this issue has been fantastic.
“For the first few days, we saw queues outside the testing centres, and it is still great to see people turning up to get tested.
“Each positive test will be sent for genotyping, which means we will get an idea of how far this variant has spread, and we can take steps to stop it from spreading any further.
“By acting quickly and responding to the call to get tested, the people of Leek are really helping us to stop the spread of this virus in its tracks.
“Testing is still continuing at Newton House throughout the week, right up until June 12.
“I would urge anyone who has links to any school in Leek or one of the two hospitality venues to get a test as soon as possible, and help us stop the spread.”
Testing is being targeted at:
• Families with links to Westwood College, St Edward’s Middle School and Leek High School.
• Families with links to any Leek school
• People who attended The Three Horseshoes Country Inn & Spa, May 24-26
• People who attended The Black Lion, Cheddleton between 22-23 May.
Now vaccinations are being offered to those 18 and over living and working in Leek from Monday – this is in response to the VOC outbreak across three schools.
Meanwhile, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-trent’s Vaccination Programme is looking for volunteers to support the temporary pop-up Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic at Leek Hospital between June 7 and June 16.
People who are able to offer their time and support are asked to register an interest by e-mailing tunstallvc@mpft.nhs. uk as soon as possible.
Roles include car parking marshalling, meeting and greeting and signposting patients, marshalling a clinical observation area and administration support.
All volunteers will be provided with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and will be given a full safety briefing and the necessary support and information by the clinical team.