Surge testing rolled out in Bolton to tackle rising COVID rates
Everyone living or working in Rumworth, Deane or Great Lever areas is urged to attend a Mobile Testing Unit
Enhanced Covid-19 testing will be rolled out in parts of Bolton from today (Friday, May 7), as part of a coordinated response to rising infection rates in the borough.
Everyone living or working in Rumworth, Deane or Great Lever areas is urged to attend a Mobile Testing Unit (MTU) in the coming days to help identify asymptomatic people who may be spreading the virus without realising it.
The rising infection rate serves as a reminder to everyone in Bolton that the Covid-19 pandemic is far from over.
Health leaders have reminded all residents that we remain at Step 2 of the government’s Covid-19 roadmap and people should not be meeting indoors with anyone outside their household or bubble.
Meetings outdoors remain limited to six people or two households.
If you are able to work from home, please do so.
Continue with public health measures including regular hand washing, maintaining social distancing even when meeting others outdoors, wearing face coverings and letting fresh air in
Have the vaccine when invited to attend and book a test immediately if you do have symptoms.
These remain the best defence against the virus spreading.
Enhanced testing:
Anyone who is living, working or studying in Rumworth, Deane or Great Lever who does not have Covid-19 symptoms is strongly urged to attend on MTU this week for a PCR test.
MTUs will be deployed at:
• Memory Lane Wedding Venue, Gilnow Lane (BL3 5EL)
• Makkah Mosque, Grecian Crescent (BL3 6QU)
Home PCR test kits will also be available for collection and return at:
• Deane Road Temple (Shree Swaminarayan Mandir), 161 Deane Road (BL3 5AH)
Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should book a test as normal through the national portal and attend one of the regular PCR testing sites or, order a home test kit.
Anyone with a positive PCR test in the last 90 days does not need to attend an MTU.
Testing, in combination with measures such as hands-face-space and following national guidance, will help stop the virus spreading.
Anyone who tests positive must self-isolate immediately and pass on their contacts’ details to NHS Test and Trace.
Financial help and other support are available for those asked to self-isolate.
Supporting the Bolton community
Bolton Council’s Director of Public Health, Dr Helen Lowey, said:
“The rising infection rate is a reminder for us all that Covid-19 is still with us here in Bolton
“We have seen and felt the devastating consequences of this virus and how quickly it can spread quickly across our communities.
“If you live or work in Rumworth, Deane or Great Lever, help keep everyone safe by taking a PCR test at one of our MTU’s or by taking a home test kit. And do attend for your vaccine if eligible.
“Further measures to reduce the spread of infection will be announced shortly.
“In the meantime, continue to observe government restrictions and do not meet indoors with people you don’t live with and remember ‘hands, face, space’ and let fresh air in.”