‘This means we can help so many more during these testing times’
Stoke City’s bet365 Stadium is now a regional testing centre for Covid-19. Phil Corrigan looks at what exactly that will mean for people in North Staffordshire
UP to 1,000 people a day will be able to get tested for Covid-19 at Stoke-on-trent’s upgraded centre.
The facility at Stoke City’s bet365 Stadium is being turned into a regional testing centre following weeks of lobbying, meaning its capacity will increase ten-fold from 100 tests a day to 1,000.
And from tomorrow, all residents with coronavirus symptoms in North Staffordshire will be able to book a test at the bet365 through the NHS website.
While the drive-through site has been used as a so-called satellite centre since April, only certain keyworkers - such as frontline NHS staff - have been able to get tested there. Other local residents with suspected Covid-19 have been told to go to the facility at Manchester Airport – an 80-mile round trip – or even further afield.
It is understood that the upgraded testing centre on the bet365 Stadium car park will remain in place for up to six months.
The government’s decision to turn the facility into one of 20 new regional centres followed intense lobbying from Stoke-on-trent City Council, NHS officials, local MPS and The Sentinel.
Council leader Abi Brown said: “Regional testing centre status for the bet365 Stadium means we can help so many more residents during this most testing of times. Our city is ready and willing to support the wider provision of testing that is such an important factor in helping to control this horrible disease.”
Heather Johnstone, director of nursing and quality for the NHS Staffordshire and Stokeon-trent CCGS and head of the local partnership testing cell, added: “We have achieved much since the local testing site opened, helping NHS, local authority, care, and other emergency workers get back to work on the frontline. This announcement will allow capacity at the site to be opened up to many more people who have coronavirus symptoms.
“I would like to thank Stoke City FC and their staff for all the magnificent support they have given to us and to our team who volunteered to leave their normal roles to operate the testing site.”
At a rate of 1,000 tests a day, the facility would be able to test the equivalent of a capacity matchday crowd at the bet365 Stadium in just one month.
The decision to keep the testing centre in place, possibly until November, suggests that Stoke City do not envisage needing the car park during this period.
Professional football in England is currently suspended, but there are plans to restart matches in empty stadiums from next month.
Richard Smith, property director for the bet365 Group and managing director at Stoke City, said: “We are delighted to be able to assist with the national Covid-19 testing effort by providing the bet365 Stadium south car park for use as a regional testing centre for people from the city and surrounding area.
“This will replace the satellite centre which has been in operation at the stadium since April 20 and means that people have a locally accessible test centre.”
The testing centre is being operated in partnership with Sodexo, and will offer assisted and self-administered tests. Those tested will receive their results within a few days.