People living in the Keswick area have another opportunity to access Covid-19 testing through the mobile unit operated by the Army from today (Friday).
The testing centre will once again be based at the former Keswick Pencil Factory site off Main Street and will be open today and tomorrow (Saturday 13th June), and next week from Monday 15th to Wednesday 17th June.
The testing site is for people living in the Keswick area who think they have Covid-19 symptoms – a high temperature; a new, continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.
The eligibility criteria for tests has been extended to include:
- Anyone aged five-years-old and over with symptoms
- Essential worker with symptoms
- Household members of essential workers who are symptomatic
People stay inside their cars during the self-test procedure which involves taking a swab sample from the back of the throat and the inside of the nose. The results come directly to people’s computers or phones usually within 48 hours, although it can take up to five days.
Swabbing is an uncomfortable procedure and young children may find it upsetting. Children should only be booked for swabbing if they are likely to have had contact with someone who is covid-positive in the previous 14 days. Younger children with a fever may indicate other childhood illnesses, so it is advisable to refer to https://111.nhs.uk/ or call your GP surgery for guidance before booking a test.
The mobile test unit is part of the national testing scheme and must be booked through the national portal at https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test
Essential workers can book a slot here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test-essential-workers
Major Alan Goodenough, from the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, said: “It has been really important that we can get right around the county and we know people appreciate the opportunity to have a test close to home. We are always busy, but want to ensure more people know about the opportunities so people can access them when they need to.”
