Coronavirus mobile testing unit open in city

A temporary coronavirus mobile testing unit has now opened in Sunderland which is set to be in operation until July 30.

The site is based in Azure Court at Doxford International Business Park (SR3 3BE) and has been open for drive-through testing from Tuesday, and will remain open until Thursday, July 30 – tests will take place between 10.30am and 3.30pm.

However, the mobile testing unit will not be open on tomorrow or Monday.

Just like the previous testing sites at Pallion Retail Park and Silksworth sports complex, it is being run in a joint effort by the armed forces and NHS England.

Essential workers and people showing symptoms of Covid-19 will not need to book tests in advance but will need to register online via the NHS website at www. nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test. Tests can also be ordered through the post.

Registering online takes roughly 10-minutes and those who are unable to do so can do so over the phone by calling 119.

Once registered, you will get a code that the mobile testing site can attach to your test so you can get your results.

Anyone driving to a test site is reminded to keep their car windows closed until the staff ask you to open them. This will help reduce the risk of transmission during the testing process itself.

The opening of the testing site came following Public Health England announcing a rise in the rate of actual coronavirus cases in Sunderland.

Sunderland’s case rate for the week ending Sunday, July 12, was recorded at 2.5 – up from 0.7 cases in the seven days prior.