REGULAR testing plays an important role in stopping the spread of the virus, breaking the chains of transmission and protecting the community.
Around one in three people with coronavirus do not have symptoms, meaning they can spread the virus without knowing it. Even those who have been fully vaccinated can still catch Covid and infect others. Testing regularly will help find those who may have Covid and be infective, but do not yet know it.
This is why rapid, regular testing is now being made available to all adults without symptoms to identify these asymptomatic cases and prevent the spread of the virus. It is particularly important for people who need to leave home to work or who are coming into regular contact with others.
A number of changes to the rapid testing programme in Tameside are now in place.
The new ‘Pharmacy Collect’ service makes it even easier for people to access home kits for testing twice a week. It is available to people aged over 18 without symptoms, who are able to visit a participating local pharmacy and collect a box of seven rapid tests to use twice a week at home.
An online checker has launched so people can find their nearest pharmacy or collection site offering free rapid test kits: https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/
Rapid testing can also be accessed by the means below:
- Order home testing kits online here: www.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/order-lateral-flow-kits/restart
- Collect home test kits at the locations below – just turn up. The Dukinfield site also offers on site testing, if travelling there it is recommended get a test on site to become familiar with the process.
| Darnton Road, Ashton, SK15 1NH |
Every day | 2.30pm-8pm |
| Beeley Street Car Park, Hyde, SK14 2TB |
Every day | 2.30pm-8pm |
| Dukinfield Town Hall, Chapel Street entrance King Street, Dukinfield, SK16 4LA (also offers on site testing) |
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Wednesday Saturday |
7am-6pm
7am-2pm 8am-1pm |
| CLOSED ON BANK HOLIDAYS |
Please note the changes in opening times, and that the Stalybridge Civic Hall testing site is no longer in operation.
Director of Public Health for Tameside Council, Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy said: “Pharmacy collect is a brilliant addition to our local testing offer, making quick, easy twice a week testing even more accessible.
“It’s important to remember to record your test result, if testing at home, even if it is negative, and that if you receive a positive test, you must book a PCR swab test immediately, to confirm that you have Covid.
“I encourage everyone to take up the rapid tests and build it into your weekly routines. Alongside the rollout of the vaccine, testing will form an important part of everyday life as parts of our society reopen.
“Regular testing will help to stop the spread of Covid, helping to protect families, friends and communities.”
More information on rapid testing in Tameside can be found here www.tameside.gov.uk/rapidtesting