v for those with symptoms to book appointments at West End Community Centre, in Derby, as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing for local communities.

This comes after the opening of a local testing centre at Morleston Street Day Centre on Wednesday 14 October.

Testing is available only for those with coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste. Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test online or by calling 119. From the start of the pandemic, testing has been prioritised for the most vulnerable, including patients in clinical settings and care home residents, vital health and care staff and to manage outbreaks.

The new site is situated so it is easily accessible without a car. Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout, including while travelling to and from the testing centre.

Those with access to a car should attend the nearby testing centre at Toyota or one of the mobile units in the county. These are also bookable online or by calling 119.

Anyone attending an appointment at a walk-through testing site will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

Testing at the new site will start today, on Saturday 17 October, with appointments made available each day.

The site is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history, which now includes more than 500 sites available across the UK, including 77 drive-through sites, 172 walk-through sites, 258 mobile units, home testing and satellite kits and five mega laboratories.

Anyone testing positive for the virus in England will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them track their contacts. This will help people to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission.

Close contacts of those testing positive will also hear from NHS Test and Trace, asking them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus. They will be advised to also book a test if they develop symptoms.

Dr Robyn Dewis, Director of Public Health for Derby City Council, said:

Unfortunately, cases are on the rise within the city and part of doing the right thing for Derby is us all following the guidance of staying home and applying for a test if we develop COVID-19 symptoms. Local testing sites of this kind will be incredibly useful in ensuring that those who are not able to reach drive-through sites are still able to follow this advice and apply for a test. We want to thank West End Community Centre for all their help and hard work to ensure that this site was able to open.

June Hughes, Secretary and Registrar at the University of Derby, said:

This is great news for the community and our students, many of whom live in this area of the city, who now have ongoing access to a walk-through testing facility, allowing them to easily get tested if they have coronavirus symptoms. This means they can make sure they are taking the necessary action to protect themselves and the people around them if they do test positive.