Derby Telegraph

New walk-in coronaviru­s test centre opens

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PEOPLE in Derby who suspect they have symptoms of coronaviru­s now have a fourth walk-through centre in Derby where they can be tested.

The latest centre is at Sussex Circus housing office in Chaddesden but testing is only available for those with coronaviru­s symptoms – a high temperatur­e, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test at nhs. uk/coronaviru­s or by calling 119.

Like the existing sites at Austin Sunnyhill Children’s centre in Browning Street, Morleston Day Centre, Morleston Street and the West End Community Centre in Mackworth Road, the new site is situated so it is easily accessible without a car.

Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout, including while travelling to and from the testing centre.

Anyone attending an appointmen­t at a walk-through test site will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabiliti­es.

The testing centre is being operated in partnershi­p with Serco and will offer self-administer­ed tests.

The test involves taking a swab of the nose and the back of the throat, which is done by the person themselves (self-administer­ed). Those being tested may experience some mild discomfort but it should not hurt.

The site is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history which has the capacity to process more than 500,000 tests a day and includes more than 700 sites across the UK, including 82 drive-through sites, 418 walk-through sites, 258 mobile units, home testing and satellite kits and six Lighthouse laboratori­es.

Anyone testing positive for the virus in England will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them trace their contacts. This will help to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmissi­on.

Close contacts of those testing positive will also hear from NHS Test and Trace, asking them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingl­y spreading the virus. They will be advised to also book a test if they develop symptoms.

 ??  ?? The latest test centre is at Sussex Circus housing office in Chaddesden. People with symptoms can book a test by calling 119
The latest test centre is at Sussex Circus housing office in Chaddesden. People with symptoms can book a test by calling 119

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