A new walk-through coronavirus testing facility has opened for those with symptoms to book appointments at Sussex Circus Housing Office in Derby, as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing for local communities.
Testing is only available for those with coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test online or by calling 119. The government is committed to continue expanding the capacity of the network of UK test sites and laboratories to make it even easier to get tested and reduce the time it takes to receive test results.
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.
Anyone attending an appointment at a walk-through test 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 has started on Tuesday, 5 January with appointments made available each day.
The site is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history which has the capacity to process more than 500,000 tests a day and includes more than 700 sites across the UK, including 82 drive-through sites, 418 walk-through sites, 258 mobile units, home testing and satellite kits and six Lighthouse laboratories.
Anyone testing positive for the virus in England will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them trace their contacts. This will help 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 10 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus. They will be advised to also book a test if they develop symptoms.
Self-isolation and testing remain some of our best ways of keeping ourselves and others safe against coronavirus. Testing is a quick and painless process – you can read more information on the testing process in our myth buster.
For those who test positive, if you’re on a zero-hours contract, unable to work from home or you’re generally worried about your income due to self-isolating, you may be entitled to a payment of £500 from your local authority under the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme.