NEW TESTING CENTRE ON CAMPUS AT UNIVERSITY
‘Walk-through’ site open to students, staff and general public
STUDENTS will have access to a new testing centre at Keele University to help prevent a coronavirus outbreak on the campus.
The ‘walk-through’ site will also be available to members of the general public and to any university staff who are displaying Covid-like symptoms.
It was launched at Keele’s science and innovation park yesterday, and will be open from 8am to 8pm every day.
Vice-chancellor Trevor Mcmillan, right, said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners and supporting the NHS in setting up this essential new facility for the community on our campus.
“Keele has already played a significant role in the national effort to tackle Covid-19, and we are pleased to further that support and relieve pressures on local services.”
So far, three Keele students have tested positive for coronavirus since the start of term last week.
They live off campus, although it’s not known if their cases are connected.
Nationally, there have been several major outbreaks of the virus at universities, with some having to lock down entire halls of residence. It has meant getting thousands of students to self-isolate.
At Keele, university officials have drawn up an outbreak management plan to make sure they are prepared for any positive cases.
A rapid response team is coordinating efforts to trace close contacts and support students who need to self-isolate.
Now the new nationally-run facility will provide much easier access to testing if any students start to show symptoms.
And as it is also available to the general public, it will mean fewer people needing to travel out of the area to get an appointment.
Staffordshire County Council has been working with the Government to offer more testing across the county to meet the growing demand. There are already local testing services at Ryecroft car park in Newcastle.
It comes as the current weekly rate of infection across Newcastle borough is 50.2 cases per 100,000, up from 23.2 the previous week.
Simon Tagg, leader of Newcastle Borough Council, said: “Making sure local people who have symptoms get a test is hugely important, and we are delighted to secure a second testing site in the borough, which will be particularly useful for students and others who don’t have access to a car.”
Dr Johnny Mcmahon, the county council’s cabinet member for health, care and wellbeing, said: “Knowing if people are positive helps us to identify who needs to self-isolate and, in turn, helps stop the spread of infection.
“It is great news to have this new national testing site right on campus, but I would ask everyone to only a book a test if they have symptoms or we have asked them to do so, as this will help more people who really need a test get one.”
Anyone who wants to attend should book a test via the national portal at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus, or by calling 119.