Fire station virus test kit centres go live

A new public collection point for coronavirus lateral flow testing kits goes live in Sunderland this week.

The new site is at at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s Barmston Mere Training Centre, in Nissan Way,Sunderland,andwillbe openonMondaysandThursdays from 9am to noon.

The service will be on offer at Gateshead Community Fire Station, in Dryden Road, Low Fell, Gateshead, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 5pm and 7pm.

The fire and rescue service is working with the Public Health teams from Sunderland City Council and Gateshead Council and the testing kits are also availableforcollectionfrommany pharmacies,variouslocalauthority sites and some symptomatic testing sites.

Tofindthenearestcollection site, go to https://maps. test-and-trace.nhs.uk/

JohnRossen,GroupManager at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Throughout the pandemic we been working in the local community to ensure residents are protected.

“We are pleased to be helping where people can collect their home testing kits from our fire stations.”

Gerry Taylor, Executive Director of Public Health and Integrated Commissioning at Sunderland City Council, said: “We would encouragepeopletotakeupthe opportunitytoaccessregular testingandtoconsiderasupported test at one of our own sites first so they can be sure thattheyarecarryingoutthe tests correctly.”

To arrange a supported test, go to https://webapps. sunderland.gov.uk/WEBAPPS/WSS/Sunderland_Portal/Forms/covidtest.aspx