Two Covid test sites open doors
TWO lateral flow testing sites went live this week in the Macclesfield area.
Sites at Macclesfield Community Centre, on Duke Street and Prestbury Village Hall, on Macclesfield Road, opened on Monday.
Tests are open to all residents, but they must be prebooked as no walk-up appointments will be available.
A lateral flow test is designed to deliver rapid testing for people without typical symptoms of Covid19 but who may still be carrying the virus, undetected.
It does not need laboratory processing and takes 30 minutes to produce a result, which is then sent to the individual via email within 45 to 60 minutes.
Cheshire East Council says regular testing of people without symptoms is important to help stop the virus spreading.
Government guidance has been issued to advise that households and bubbles of pupils, students and staff of schools and colleges should get tested twiceweekly.
This also includes the wider school community including bus drivers and after school club leaders.
Dr Matt Tyrer, director of public health for the council, said: “These new testing sites will enable us to deliver an effective screening programme to identify people who are asymptomatic but are unknowingly carrying the Covid-19 virus.
“This means that when a negative result is received, that person can go about their normal day, within the current level of restrictions, and not have to isolate while waiting for results.”
Residents struggling to book online can call the Cheshire East Council contact tracing team on 0300 123 5032, which will help residents to book an appointment slot.
To book a lateral flow test visit https://cheshireeast. zipporah.co.uk/LFT.Bookings.