Posted on Wednesday 22nd July 2020
The drop-in testing sessions are available over two days.
People in areas of Burton affected by rising cases of COVID-19 are being encouraged to take part in a pilot testing scheme for residents without symptoms.
The sessions at the Uxbridge Street, Mosque will run from 9am and 2pm on Thursday and Friday (July 23 and July 24) and are open to everyone. People with symptoms should stay at home and book a test online at www.NHS.uk/coronavirus or by phoning 119. Home tests for people who don’t have access to a car can be booked on 0300 111 8050.
Between July 4 and July 18 there have been 54 confirmed cases in Burton, with the majority of these centred in Anglesey, Shobnall and Horninglow.
Dr Richard Harling, Staffordshire County Council’s Director of Health and Care, said:
While we know how many people are testing positive, we don’t know of course how many people may have the virus without displaying any symptoms.
This pilot scheme will give us really useful insight to help manage the outbreaks and I would encourage anyone who can to support this pilot by going along to get tested in the next couple of days.
The mosques across the town are really pulling together to support our efforts on COVID-19 and I would like to thank them for turning around this scheme so quickly.”
The drop-in centre will be open at the mosque from 9am to 2pm. Entrance via the community centre side. Appointments are not necessary.
Tariq Hussain, from the mosque, said:
This really is a community effort to tackle COVID-19 and the drop-in centre is open to everyone regardless of race or religion and the more people that get tested the better.”
The county continues to work closely with East Staffordshire Borough Council, the NHS and the town’s communities in the call for people to follow national guidance carefully.
The guidance is to:
- Wash your hands regularly
- Limit your contact with people not in your household
- Stay at home when you can. If you do need to go out keep your distance – 2m ideally
- Wear face coverings on public transport now and in shops from July 24
- Self-isolate for seven days and book a test if you have symptoms
- Self-isolate for 14 days if you have been contacted by the NHS Test & Trace Service and told you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.
You can find out more information at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus