More surge testing sites open across Bristol and South Gloucestershire
It comes as scientists say the mutation found here may evade immunity
Two more surge testing sites have opened in Bristol today as experts label the covid mutation found here a variant of concern.
They're at Yate Common on Westerleigh Road and the Imperial Sports Ground on West Town Lane.
People who live or work in specific postcodes, are over 16 and do not have symptoms of COVID-19, are encouraged to get a one-off PCR test at one of the five Mobile Testing Units (MTUs) rolled out to support community surge testing in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
All MTU services across both areas will be open from 9am to 6pm, seven days-a-week.
It comes as a virus threats advisory group has classed the new strain found here a "variant of concern".
Twenty-one cases have now been found across Bristol and South Gloucestershire, which scientists fear may evade immunity.
The testing at all these MTU sites will help officials work out how far the mutation has spread.
Christina Gray, Director of Public Health at Bristol City Council and Sara Blackmore, Director of Public Health at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We strongly encourage people to get a one-off test at their nearest site to help us learn more about the variant and reduce local infection rates.
“This is additional community surge testing that will take place over the next couple of weeks to really enhance our local efforts.
"We’re also asking employers in the specific postcodes to encourage their employees to get a test if they are eligible.”
You can still get a test if you’ve been vaccinated, and if you are currently having repeat lateral flow (rapid) testing for work.
You do not need to get a test however, if you have already tested positive within the last 90 days.
All the surge testing MTUs are as follows:
Bristol & Bath Science Park, Dirac Crescent, Emersons Green, BS16 7FR
Bristol City Council Testing Centre, 17-18 Wellington Road, BS2 9DA
Imperial Retail Park, Hartcliffe Way, BS13 7TJ
The Imperial Sports Ground, West Town Lane, BS14 9EA
Yate Common, Westerleigh Road, BS37 8RZ
If you cannot make it to any of the MTUs, it is also possible to collect a testing kit from one of several libraries.
Those sites are:
Fishponds Library, Robinson House, Hockey's Ln, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 3HL
Henleaze Library, 30 Northumbria Dr, Henleaze, Bristol BS9 4HP
Junction 3 Library, 138b Lower Ashley Rd, Easton, Bristol BS5 0FJ
Whitchurch Library, 7 Oatlands Ave, Bristol BS14 0SX
Wick Road Library, Wick Rd, Brislington, Bristol BS4 4HE
Emersons Green Library, Emersons Way, Emersons Green BS16 7AP
Downend Library, Buckingham Gardens, Downend, BS16 5TW
Staple Hill Library, Broad St, Staple Hill, BS16 5LS
You can find a full list of the eligible post codes here.