Posted on Friday 24th July 2020
Hundreds of local people turned out to take part in a COVID-19 pilot testing scheme in Burton.
The sessions at the Uxbridge Street Mosque ran on Thursday and Friday (July 23 and July 24), and saw people without symptoms queuing down the street to get a free COVID-19 test.
The mosque is believed to be the first of its kind nationally to offer such a service.
A total of 373 people have been tested across the two days, from a number of different communities in Burton.
Those with symptoms should stay at home and book a test online at www.NHS.uk/coronavirus or by phoning 119. Home tests for people who don’t have access to a car can be booked on 0300 111 8050.
Between July 4 and July 22 there have been 58 confirmed cases in Burton, with the majority of these centred in Anglesey, Shobnall, Horninglow and Eton Park.
Dr Richard Harling, Staffordshire County Council’s Director of Health and Care, said:
“The turnout for the pilot scheme has been really encouraging, and I want to thank the mosques across the town for turning this scheme around so quickly.
“I’m also thankful to the hundreds of people who have turned out to be tested. While we know how many people are testing positive, we don’t know how many people may have the virus without displaying any symptoms. Therefore this pilot is really important to get an insight to help manage the outbreaks.
Tarig Hussain from the mosque, who went through the testing process himself said:
“The response overall has been really good, and it’s been a really successful event over the past two days. We’ve had lots of people coming for tests without having to make an appointment, from all aspects of the community regardless of race or religion.
“I’m really pleased to see that people are taking coronavirus in this area seriously, and taking positive steps to tackle the issue.”
The county continues to work closely with East Staffordshire Borough Council, the NHS and the town’s communities in the call for people to follow national guidance carefully.
The guidance is to:
- Wash your hands regularly
- Limit your contact with people not in your household
- Stay at home when you can. If you do need to go out keep your distance – 2m ideally
- Wear face coverings on public transport and in shops from July 24
- Self-isolate for seven days and book a test if you have symptoms
- Self-isolate for 14 days if you have been contacted by the NHS Test & Trace Service and told you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive
You can find out more information at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus