PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF VENUE - NOW AT THE SEABRIDGE CENTRE
Our case rate here in Newcastle is now at 286/100,000 (figures to 14th Jan) which is an improvement from the previous few weeks, and goes to show what a great effort local people are making. However, as before the local NHS is still under huge pressure and we are still at risk from the new variant as it spreads northwards.
*All* residents who *need* to be out and about in Staffordshire during the lockdown are also being urged to have regular Covid-19 tests, even if they don’t have symptoms.
From today these community rapid flow tests - for those without symptoms - can be booked at the Seabridge Centre, Roe Lane, Clayton, ST5 4AZ by following the link provided: https://staffordshire.zipporah.co.uk/TrackAndTrace/
If there is no availability, you can book a traditional test at one of the national sites at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus and choose the option “my council has asked me to book a test”.
Additionally a fleet of “Let’s Get Tested” vans are going to be rolled out across the county to bolster Staffordshire County Council’s efforts to tackle Covid-19 and test more people without symptoms. These vans will provide pop-up community testing across the county and support the new Community Testing Centres.
Many Staffordshire employers are also joining the mass-testing blitz, with Alton Towers one of the first to sign up to offer both community and workforce testing.
Anyone with symptoms should only book a national test. Anyone who is self-isolating as a close contact should only book a test if they develop symptoms and this should be through the national system only.
Most of the hotspot areas in the County are now in the south as the new variant spreads. The County Council has advised that there are currently no hotspot areas in the Borough this week.
