With COVID-19 case numbers continuing to rise across Stoke-on-Trent, more people are being urged to get tested in the city.
The news comes following the latest test centre opening to the public at the Synectics Solutions car park in Burslem. The walk-through test centre, on Hamil Road was opened to offer more test capacity for people in the north of the city who may not have a car.
Use of the site – seen as an ideal location in that part of the city - was offered by Carol Shanahan, Chair of Synectics Solutions and Port Vale FC and is now one of three permanent sites in Stoke-on-Trent, alongside Stoke City FC South Car Park drive through test centre and another walk-through centre at Fenton Manor Car Park. Additional community test sites are also in place.
Carol Shanahan OBE, Chair of Synectics Solutions and Port Vale FC, said: “We are delighted to support the local community with the location of this latest Covid-19 testing site.
“We are seeing first-hand the profound effect this virus is having on so many people in our community and it is so important that we all work together in our fight against the spread of this virus.
“I would urge everyone to play their part in helping to protect themselves and others.
“We can do this collectively by following the guidance provided, respecting social distancing, washing hands, wearing face-coverings, self-isolating when we are asked to do so and booking tests at any one of the many testing facilities now available – including our new site in Burslem.”
Cllr Abi Brown, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: “Our coronavirus figures are getting starker by the day – we had 302 cases notified today alone. This is more than any point in the last year. Having the support of major community leaders such as Carol and more test centres such as this one is critical in our fight against coronavirus. We are one of only a few areas nationally that has managed, not once but twice, to drive down the spread of the virus. This achievement was highlighted only recently by Matt Hancock, the minister for health and social care in parliament. I truly believe that by us all pulling together across the community that we can do this again. There is a huge amount of capacity available and residents can access tests quickly and easily.”
Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones said: “We’re a perilous juncture with the disease in the city. Now really is the time that we need to pull out all the stops or suffer consequences even more severe than they are now. Hospital admissions will be beyond anything we’ve seen, more deaths will be inevitable, children won’t be able to attend schools, people won’t be able to go to work and the economy and our community will continue to suffer.
“We can turn this around but people must do what they are being asked to do. If you follow the guidance you can make a difference. Get tested at centres like Synectics Solutions or at any one of our local community test centres, wash your hands, cover your face and make space as well as following the advice if you’re contracted by track and trace. Do it for Stoke-on-Trent and the people you love.”
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has also been working with partners from the NHS, other public sector agencies and Government to deliver testing within the city.
Booking a test at Synectics Solutions can be done by visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
For more information during the coronavirus, and frequently asked questions, please visit www.stoke.gov.uk/coronavirus. For latest health advice on the coronavirus, please visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus, and for further information on the virus visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
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. If residents have symptoms, please get tested. All residents must continue to follow the guidance of wash hands, cover face and make space.
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