Warwickshire residents urged to Covid tests following a slight increase in cases in key areas across the county

Testing is key to the roadmap out of lockdown, say health bosses
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Residents across Warwickshire are being urged to get a Covid test twice a week, following a slight increase in cases in key areas across the county.

The message comes from the Director of Public Health for Warwickshire, Dr Shade Agboola, who has stressed the need for residents to continue to have regular tests if the national roadmap to ease lockdown restrictions is to be achieved.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

According to the latest data (which covers a seven-day average up to March 17), Warwickshire has seen about a ten per cent increase of positive cases.

Residents across Warwickshire are being urged to get a Covid test twice a week, following a slight increase in cases in key areas across the county.Residents across Warwickshire are being urged to get a Covid test twice a week, following a slight increase in cases in key areas across the county.
Residents across Warwickshire are being urged to get a Covid test twice a week, following a slight increase in cases in key areas across the county.

The Warwick district, Rugby borough and Stratford district have all seen increases too over the same time period.

Talking about testing, Dr Agboola said: “The last year has been incredibly tough for our communities and the roadmap of out lockdown has given us all some hope that we can work towards a more normal way of living.

"However, I need to be clear that we will not see the next steps that we all want to see if we don’t stop the spread of the virus and the only way that we are going to achieve this is if we get tested regularly. It really is that simple but that critical.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Testing is available in a number of settings across Warwickshire including schools, businesses and care homes, but we still need anyone who is unable to access testing through their workplace to take advantage of the free testing service for those with and without symptoms of Covid-19.

“The significance that the role of regular testing plays in the easing out of lockdown cannot be underestimated at this point. With the Easter holidays just around the corner, we know that people will be mixing, so it’s essential that people get tested before meeting up with family and friends.

"That’s regardless of whether you have had one or both of your vaccinations, whether you are a key worker or have children at school, or if you work from home and only go shopping or meet up with friends in the park, anyone can carry the virus and anyone can catch it. So please play your part and get tested.”

The nearest test centres are:

Leamington

Adult and Community Learning Site, Pound Lane, Lillington, Leamington, CV32 7RT

Rugby

Indian Centre, 1 Edward Street, Rugby, CV21 2EZ

Stratford

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rear of The Other Place Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, 22 Southern Ln, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6BH

Dr Agboola added: “As well as testing, it is essential that residents continue to follow the key guidance of washing their hands regularly, wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces, and keeping a social distance from those you do not live with. Good ventilation is also very important, so if you are looking after people in your bubble or you need to invite someone into your home to fix essential items, then as well as hands, face, space, it’s also important to keep your home or workplace well ventilated.”

Since opening community test centres across the county, Warwickshire County Council has overseen the testing of around 145,000 people living or working in the county. Of those, around 1,200 have been positive.

To book a test at one of our community test sites for those without symptoms of Coivd-19 please visit https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/covidtestingIf you are unable to attend a test centre, then you can order a kit for home delivery by visiting https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests Home test kits for households and bubbles of school pupils and staff are also available for collection from our community test centres or NHS test sites. To find out more visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rapid-lateral-flow-testing-for-households-and-bubbles-of-school-pupils-and-staff

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Residents experiencing one or more of the following symptoms are asked not to attend appointments at our community test sites and should instead book an NHS test by visiting https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test, or by calling 119:

- A high temperature

- A new, continuous cough

- A loss or change to your sense of taste or smell