COVID-19 testing for the whole community, but with a particular focus on secondary school age children, is being increased as cases continue to rise in parts of Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.
Young people of secondary school age, particularly those in years 11, 12 and 13, and their families, who do not have symptoms are now being urged to ‘Test now for Christmas, test again before the return to school’.
The increase in testing capacity is also available to all members of the community, including younger children and their families. The exception is if you have had a positive test in the last 12 weeks, as it may be incorrectly positive.
Following an announcement from the Government last night, Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock Councils are putting plans into action, collaboratively worked up with the Department for Health and Social Care DHSC, for increased community testing in specific locations across the county including for those with no symptoms.
The additional testing capacity outlined below is available to the whole community, but young people of secondary school age and their families are strongly encouraged to get tested before Christmas, and then prior to their return to school in January as part of this increase in community testing.
- Hamlet Court Road car park, Westcliff-on-Sea. A new walk-though mobile testing unit site will be open from tomorrow (Saturday 12 December), from 8am to 4pm seven days a week. There is no need to book for this site, you can turn up and say that your local authority has asked you to get a test
- Southend Airport, Long Stay Car Park 3, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6YE – this mobile testing unit is now open seven days per week (up from two days a week). Please book through the national system.
- Short Street local testing site remains open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm. This is available for both walk-through and appointments booked through the national system.
By visiting GOV.UK you will be given the option of either attending a local testing site or a postal test kit can be sent to your home for you to do yourself.
Children of secondary school age are also urged to get a second test before the New Year, around 4-7 days before return to school, to ensure that anyone who may be infectious does not return to school and potentially start an outbreak.
Cllr Ian Gilbert, leader of the council, said: “With rates rising across Southend-on-Sea, our message to secondary school age pupils is test now for Christmas, and then please test again before the return to school.
“As a community we need to identify as many people as possible to stop the spread and so we welcome this additional capacity from the Government, which is increasing the days available at the mobile testing units from four up to fourteen.
“Community testing is helpful to identify where the disease is spreading and also helps to identify asymptomatic people who may be carrying and spreading the disease unknowingly.
“This is particularly important now as we approach the festive season and with families considering if and who to make Christmas bubbles with. We are also aware that rates in young people have been increasing particularly quickly and this will help identify further where this exists.
“I would therefore urge you to have your secondary school age child tested for coronavirus.
“Your help and support is more important than ever at this crucial time in the fight against coronavirus.”
How do I book a test if I do not have symptoms?
Go to the government website www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test where you will be asked a series of questions:
Choose NO to essential worker
Choose NO to having symptoms, and
Choose NO to being part of a trial or pilot
Then select "My local council or health protection team has asked me (or someone I live with) to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms.”
You can book your whole family through one form by choosing 'add family members'.
Selecting these options will allow you to book to access a COVID-19 test.
What if I can't get to a mobile testing centre?
You can ask to receive your test by post. You can do this when making your booking by answering 'Yes' to 'Is the person who needs a test part of a trial of government pilot project' and selecting 'The person is taking part in community testing'
What if my family is already self-isolating?
You can still get tested if you've been asked to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace Programme or by our own Public Health team, but you must complete your period of self-isolation, even if you test negative.
What should I do if I test positive?
If you have received a positive test result, have symptoms of COVID-19, or have been told you are a contact with someone who has, self-isolation is the only way to guarantee you won’t pass COVID-19 to others.
If you are told to isolate, you should go home and start self-isolating straight away.
Self-isolation is one of the most important things we can do to help stop the spread of the virus and protect our friends and family, our community and the NHS.
What should I do if I test negative?
Anyone who tests negative does not need to self-isolate.
You should continue to remember; hands, face, space. That means washing your hands regularly, wearing a face covering in enclosed public places and keeping our distance from people who aren’t in our household.
