Posted on Thursday 6th August 2020
A third round of testing for COVID-19 in Burton will be taking place next week.
Following on from successful events at the Uxbridge and Princess Street mosques, the next testing session will take place at St Chad’s Community Centre on Hunter Street.
The session will take place on Thursday 13 August between 12 and 7pm, to accommodate as many people as possible. People are also being asked to stagger their visits if possible, to prevent queues forming.
The sessions are free and are open to everyone without COVID-19 symptoms. People with symptoms should stay at home and book a test online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. Home tests for people who don’t have access to a car can be booked on 0300 111 8050.
Between July 4 and August 3 there have been 80 confirmed cases in Burton, with the majority of these centred in Anglesey, Shobnall, Horninglow and Eton Park.
Already, more than 500 people have taken advantage of the pilot testing scheme, to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in these areas.
Dr Johnny McMahon, Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing at Staffordshire County Council said:
“The response of the communities in Burton has been great – already, hundreds of people have been tested which gives us a very clear indication of the spread of the virus in this area.
“As we know some people might have the virus without displaying any symptoms, so it’s really important that as many people as possible support the pilot and get tested.
“The communities’ response throughout this has been fantastic, and I am incredibly grateful to the mosques, churches and community centres who have all pulled together to support our efforts at this time.”
Revd George Crossley from the St Chad’s Community Centre said:
“I have seen how the local community has worked together through this pandemic. We made new friends through clapping for the NHS together and it is lovely that we still greet each other as pass carefully in the street. People have come to the aid of others by shopping, helping with food parcels, and in many other ways. The wonderfully mixed community of Eton Park is united by our commitment to each other to try to limit the effect of COVID-19 and it is a delight that we can offer the use of the Community Centre to help in this way.”
Shaid Hussain from the Parker Street Mosque said:
“As a resident of Eton and representative of Parker Street Mosque, I'm grateful for St Chads in allowing their facility to be used for the COVID-19 tests in order that we can collectively help to fight this common enemy and foster greater community cohesion.”
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
- Self-isolate for ten 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