Residents in Wiltshire and Swindon are being urged to get tested for coronavirus as soon as they experience symptoms.
The two Directors of Public Health within the county are increasingly concerned that people are adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach if they feel unwell, perhaps not realising that testing facilities are available locally.
Regional testing sites, which are open seven days a week, are based at the former Wroughton Park and Ride site in Swindon and Beehive Park and Ride in Salisbury. In addition, a mobile testing unit will be at County Hall’s Mortimer Street car park in Trowbridge several days a week as of 13 July – initially it will be available from 13-16 July, then for six days from 19 July.
Anyone experiencing a new, continuous cough, a high temperature, and/or a loss of or change in their normal sense of smell or taste, can book a test at www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test – the portal allows you to select the site best suited to you, both for location and day.
Testing is available for all ages at all of the sites available via the portal and as many as four people in a car can be tested. People can either opt to carry out the test by themselves or have an assisted test with a trained tester, remaining in the vehicle at all times in both cases.
People can get a test:
• for themselves, if they have coronavirus symptoms now (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste); and
• for someone they live with, if they have coronavirus symptoms.
Test results come back within a couple of days. Although home testing kits can also be requested, the process can take longer between asking for a test and knowing the outcome. As such, people are recommended to use the test sites wherever possible and as soon as they can after displaying symptoms.
Kate Blackburn, Director of Public Health for Wiltshire, said: “If you start experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19, I would urge you self-isolate and book an appointment at your nearest testing site. The test is quick and easy to do, and you receive your results quicker than if you wait for a test to be posted to you.”
Steve Maddern, Director of Public Health at Swindon Borough Council, said: “Self-isolating and testing are key to keeping our communities safe. The NHS Test and Trace Service will therefore play an incredibly important role in reducing COVID-19 transmission across our borough and the wider county.”
Full details of how to book a test can be found at www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or call NHS 119 – full government guidance around the pandemic can be found at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.