Residents in Normacot are being urged to get a coronavirus test – and a temporary mobile testing centre has been set up with the NHS – after an increase in cases in the area.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council opened a testing facility in Alexandra Infants School, Melville Road, ST3 4PZ today (Friday). It will be open again tomorrow (Saturday) between 9am and 2.30pm (this has been extended from the original 12 noon closure time).
It follows an increase in coronavirus cases in the area, with 18 cases in a concentrated number of streets since 5 August.
Council leader Abi Brown said: “We are investigating this increase in cases and we can’t tell yet whether this trend is set to continue, but what is clear is that we all need to work together to ensure it does not escalate.
“This means taking preventative action now to avoid the situation getting worse. We need to do this for the safety of the people of Stoke-on-Trent, our loved ones and also to ensure we don’t have to go into local lockdowns.
“We have moved quickly to set up a temporary testing facility, and urge local people in Normacot to please go along and be tested. No booking is needed. When you come for a test, please make sure you social distance and wear a face covering.
“The new focus on contact tracing locally means we have much better data and earlier, than we have seen in other areas of the country recently. It means we are able to react really quickly when we see patterns or concentrations in cases.
“While we’ve seen a small increase in cases in Normacot, the situation is escalating across the city. In the last week, we have seen a rise in case numbers in Stoke-on-Trent with 38 new cases across the city. This has resulted in a rate of 14.8 per 100,000. It is not just isolated to one community or culture so it’s important for everyone to take heed and take action.”
Residents can book at test at the local testing centre at the bet365 Stadium as an alternative to the school. It is located at Stanley Matthews Way, Trentham Lakes, ST4 4EG. Bookings can be made via www.nhs.uk/coronavirus, or ringing 119, where help is available in other languages.
People in Normacot are being urged to get a test if they have:
- Received contact from Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Public Health England or the NHS asking them to get tested
- Been in close contact with someone who has received a letter from Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Public Health England or the NHS asking them to get tested
- Been in close contact with someone now confirmed as having coronavirus and being asked to self-isolate
If residents have coronavirus symptoms, they should not go to Alexandra Infants School to be tested. They must stay at home and book a test at the bet365 Stadium.
All residents are reminded to continue:
- Washing your hands regularly.
- Stay home as much as possible. If you do go out keep 2m distance from other people.
- Wear a face covering on public transport, in taxis, and in all indoor settings where the public have access, including places of worship.
- If you have any symptoms of a high temperature, a new, persistent cough or a loss of taste or smell, you must stay home and book a test. Do not come to the testing centre. If you are contacted by NHS Test & Trace, the city council or Public Health England, stay in for 14 days and limit movement household-to-household.
Meanwhile, barbers, hairdressers, beauticians and similar businesses where there is close proximity to a person’s face, mouth and nose, are reminded of new government guidance issued last night (Thursday) that they must wear a clear visor as well as a ‘type II’ face mask.
Clear visors cover the face and typically provide a barrier between the wearer and the client from respiratory droplets caused by sneezing, coughing or speaking. Visors must fit the user and be worn properly. They should cover the forehead, extend below the chin, and wrap around the side of the face.
Both disposable and re-usable visors are available. A re-usable visor must be cleaned and disinfected between each client using normal cleaning products.
A type II face mask should be worn with the visor. Type II face masks are not PPE but will provide a physical barrier to minimise contamination of the mouth and nose when used correctly.
For more details visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/close-contact-services.
For more information and advice on coronavirus (Covid-19) please visit Public Health England:
https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/01/23/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/ and the NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
All residents are reminded about the critical importance of regular handwashing with soap and hot water for 20 seconds. The significance of this action cannot be underestimated.
For more information on digital services, visit www.stoke.gov.uk, download the MyStoke App, or follow the city council’s social media channels.
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