Fylde Council’s Health Protection Practitioner is asking people to ensure they continue to test for Covid-19 as the national roadmap to unlocking progresses.
Richard Hurt, who is working with colleagues to roll out several testing initiatives, said testing is key to Fylde emerging from the pandemic.
Fylde is continuing with its four mobile testing units for those with symptoms or feel unwell. They are in Kirkham, Freckleton, Staining and Elswick and they complement the permanent static site on The Beach Cafe car park in Lytham St Annes.
In addition to the five sites for symptomatic testing, Fylde Council has ramped up its free lateral flow SMART testing capacity, with new sites across the borough.
This complements existing workplace and educational setting testing as well as the government initiative that is offering everyone regular home testing by ordering online or collecting tests from pharmacies and council run libraries.
In Lancashire, people can get a test if they are concerned about their health but aren’t showing the three classic symptoms of Covid-19, which are a high temperature, a new continuous cough and a change to sense of smell or taste.
To do this people need to select “My local council or health protection team has asked me to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms.” Tests must be booked through the NHS app or website or by phoning 119.
Richard said: “Now businesses are opening and people are getting out and about more it is vital that we continue to test to ensure we can control any outbreaks of Covid-19.
“We have come so far and our rates are low and decreasing, but people must not become complacent. It is absolutely vital that people get tested if they feel unwell, even if they aren’t showing the classic three symptoms of a cough, a temperature or a loss of taste or smell.
“Lateral flow testing is now available to everyone, either by ordering or collecting packs of tests or regularly visiting one of our SMART testing sites.
“All the signs are pointing towards Fylde enjoying a fantastic summer and testing will play a vital role in us being able to get back to doing all the things we love.
Mobile testing sites for those with symptoms or who feel generally unwell are planned for the following locations in May:
William Segar Hodgson Pavilion (Kirkham)
- 6th – 7th
- 13th – 14th
- s – 21st
- 27th – 28th
Rawstorne Sports Centre, Freckleton
- 3rd – 4th
- 17th – 18th
- 31st
Elswick Village Hall
- 12th
- 19th
- 26th
Staining Village Hall
- 10th – 11th
- 24th – 25th
In Lancashire, people can get a test if they are concerned about their health but aren’t showing the three classic symptoms of Covid-19, which are a high temperature, a new continuous cough and a change to sense of smell or taste.
To do this people need to select “My local council or health protection team has asked me to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms.” Tests must be booked through the NHS app or website or by phoning 119.
The SMART centres, which are for people without symptoms are located across the borough:
Week commencing Monday 3rd May
Tuesday: Mobile testing unit on B&Q car park, Whitehills Retail Park: 9:30 – 15:30
Wednesday: St Cuthbert’s Church Hall Church Road Lytham: 09:30 to 15:30
Thursday: In front of Fylde Council public offices, Clifton Drive St Annes: 09:30 to 15:30
Friday: Kirkham Community Centre: 09:30 to 15:30
Week commencing 10th May and onwards
Monday: AFC Fylde Education Centre: 09:30 to 15:30
Tuesday: Mobile testing unit on B&Q car park, Whitehills Retail Park: 9:30 – 15:30
Wednesday: Mobile testing unit on ICG car park, Harbour Lane, Warton: 10:30 to 13:30
Wednesday: Mobile testing unit on Pleasant Street car park, Lytham: 14:30 to 17:30
Thursday: In front of Fylde Council public offices, Clifton Drive, St Annes: 09:30 to 15:30
Friday: Kirkham Community Centre: 09:30 to 15:30
All testing is free. Swabbing and processing takes place onsite and the results are available within half an hour.
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