Residents in worst affected areas urged to get tested as Covid cases rise at an 'alarming rate'

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Following a rapid rise in Covid cases across the borough, largely driven by the Delta variant, Cheshire East Council is asking every person living in Macclesfield and Crewe over the age of eighteen, to take a PCR Covid-19 test, even if they are not showing symptoms.

Cheshire East Council has brought in several mobile testing units which can be set up in under 20 minutes allowing the testing of hundreds of people each day. They are now travelling to the areas identified as most in need where specially trained personnel will collect swabs before they are sent to an NHS Test and Trace laboratory for processing. Those tested will receive results within 24 hours.

Dr Matt Tyrer, director of public health at Cheshire East Council, said: "Unfortunately cases of Covid are continuing to rise at an alarming rate right across Cheshire East and particularly in and around Macclesfield and Crewe.

"Supporting our existing network of testing facilities, these mobile testing units will help us to increase our testing capacity for asymptomatic (without symptoms) testing.

"I can't stress this enough, but it really is important to maintain regular testing, even if you have been vaccinated.

"You may not have felt it was important to get tested before, but this new variant is far more transmissible and you may not know you have got it if you don't have a test. You could spread it without knowing and we are making it much easier to check.

"Please do make your way to one of the local test sites or mobile units as testing is the only way to be certain if you are positive or not."

Councillor Jill Rhodes, Cheshire East Council adults and health committee chair, said: "Cases across Cheshire East are rising, especially of the highly transmissible Delta variant, so please keep up your high standards and follow hands, space, face and fresh air along with getting tested on a regular basis.

"If we are to eliminate Covid in Cheshire East then we really need residents to do the right thing which means continuing to follow the national guidance. This is especially important for our younger residents and those who are still to receive either one or both vaccinations.

"If a person tests positive, has any symptoms, or are contact traced following contact with someone who tests positive, they should self-isolate immediately".

If you have symptoms self-isolate and order a test kit online and if you have no symptoms but live in Macclesfield or Crewe then go to a mobile test site for a test, to stop the spread.

There are three mobile testing units based at the following locations:

  • Middlewich Town Football Club, Finney's Lane, Middlewich CW10 9DR (commencing Wednesday 9 June at 9.00am to 4.00pm)
  • Cranage Hall Hotel, Byley Lane, Cranage, Holmes Chapel CW4 8EW (commencing Wednesday 9 June at 9.00am to 4.00pm)
  • Handforth Youth Centre, Old Rd, Handforth, Wilmslow SK9 3DA (already live with planned deployment until 13 June 2021)
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Comments

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Simon Worthington
Thursday 17th June 2021 at 9:22 am
Is Dr. Matt Tyrer the last “qualified” medic in the world to still believe in asymptomatic transmission? For clarification that is different to presymtomatic!