By Coronavirus testing site set up in Grimsby
A coronavirus testing site has been set up in Grimsby, as health officials warn that they expect a ‘sharp increase’ in cases around the Humber region.
The new testing site is intended for the use of key workers, and members of their household, and is for use by appointment only.
The testing unit is accessible for three days this week at the Duchess Street Car Park in Grimsby. Appointments are available between the following times:
Tuesday, April 28 – 12pm to 2pm
Wednesday, April 29 – 11am to 3pm
Thursday, April 30 – 11am to 3pm
The testing site is not open to the general public, as it has been set up in conjunction with the Humber Bridge Regional Testing Centre for key workers who are self-isolating because they or a household member has symptoms of coronavirus.
Chair of the Humber Local Resilience Forum Chris Blacksell, said:
“The Regional Testing Centre at the Humber Bridge has been very well attended and I thank those individuals and employers who have booked their places online and been patient when arriving on site.
“The addition of this mobile site in Grimsby will further increase the numbers tested each day in our region and give health partners and employers a much clearer picture of the local levels of confirmed cases.
“We would naturally expect the number of positive cases of coronavirus reported in the Humber region to increase sharply this week as the results come back through the system. This should not alarm anyone, it will simply allow the NHS to be better informed and prepare their staffing and resources accordingly.”
The idea behind the initiative is to enable key workers to return to work as soon as possible, rather than self-isolating when it may not be necessary.
A negative test will help enable staff to return to work much quicker, whilst a positive test will mean that the individual and their employer can take steps to reduce the chances of further spread of the virus.
It is thought that if successful, the mobile testing unit will also serve a wider area of the Humber region.
Key workers can be put forward for testing by their employer if they have those arrangements in place, but can now also book it themselves by using the self-referral route, which can be found here.
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