Coronavirus testing centre to open in Stafford
A regional testing centre will open in Stafford for people with coronavirus symptoms.
The drive through centre will open at the Stafford Education and Enterprise Park, in Beaconside, the Government has announced.
Anyone experiencing Covid-19 symptoms can book an appointment on the NHS website or by calling 119 to be tested.
Heather Johnstone, director of nursing and quality for the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "Regional testing sites have a capacity to test 1,000 people per day – a huge increase on the 100 per day at local sites, which are also limited to testing health, care, local authority and emergency service workers.
“The Stafford site will offer considerably improved access for people in the south of Staffordshire and mean many more people can access testing closer to their homes.
“Beaconside was the site in the county which most closely matched the Government criteria for a regional testing centre.”
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Philip Atkins, leader of Staffordshire County Council, added: "With the slow easing of restrictions it is important that people with symptoms not only self-isolate but book a test.
"This facility will allow more people to be tested quickly and if they test positive enable the people they have been in close contact with to be traced to help contain the spread of infection. We continue to work with government to ensure access to testing across the county.”
A testing centre opened at Stoke City's bet365 Stadium last week.
