Coronavirus testing kits to be delivered to homes in Oldbury and Tipton after variant discovered
A 'drop and collect' Covid-19 home testing operation is now underway in parts of Oldbury and Tipton – in a bid to find any more cases of South African variant of the virus.
Volunteer council staff are delivering coronavirus home test kits for people to ensure as many people as possible get tested as quickly as possible.
Teams are targeting specific streets within the wider DY4 7, DY4 8 and B69 2 postcode areas, in an area loosely between Birmingham Canal in the north, New Birmingham Road in the south, Coneygree Road in the west and Vaughan Trading Estate in the east.
It comes after a person who lives on the border of Oldbury and Tipton tested positive for the variant.
Anyone aged 16 and over who lives in those areas is urged to take a PCR Covid-19 swab test, even if they are not showing any symptoms of coronavirus.
The home test kits which are being delivered are aimed at those who can’t get to the new mobile testing unit (MTU) in the car park of Pure Gym, Dudley Port, which is open 9am to 3pm seven days a week
Councillor Maria Crompton, deputy leader of Sandwell Council. said: “I would like to thank the volunteers from our council staff who are once again stepping up to support vital work during this pandemic.
“The most important thing people can do remains to follow the guidance that is in place – limit your number of contacts, wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, keep your distance and cover your face.
“It’s more important than ever that if you’ve received your letter inviting you to book your Covid-19 vaccination, you can now book on the NHS website or by calling 119.”
Dr Lisa McNally, Sandwell’s director of public health, added: “People in the area are responding brilliantly to the call to get tested. This follows one case of the variant first discovered in South Africa being identified in the Oldbury/Tipton border area.
“Now this drop and collect option means we can also help those people who can’t get out to the testing centre.
“Any positive tests will be analysed to identify any further spread, enabling a better understanding of the variant and identifying if there are any more cases of this particular strand of virus in the area.”
