Fordingbridge to get mobile Covid-19 testing unit
It should be opening from the end of this month
Last updated 15th Feb 2021
In order to make it easier for people in the area to get a Covid-19 swab, a mobile testing unit is going to be opening in Fordingbridge.
Hampshire County Council have confirmed the news, although have not given an exact start date.
It will be situated in the A338 Slip Road Car Park from the 19th to the 21st February.
Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Keith Mans said:
"The County Council operates three mobile testing units which travel to areas of greatest need across the county on a monthly rotation, ensuring that residents with COVID symptoms have access to prompt and convenient testing.
Our testing team has been working with New Forest District Council and the local Parish Council to offer a drive-through testing option to serve the local community, and a mobile testing unit will be deployed to Fordingbridge from the end of this month. More information about testing options and the numerous COVID testing site locations in Hampshire can be found at www.hants.gov.uk/testandtrace__."
Previously, the closest testing centres were in Ringwood or Salisbury.
Cllr Edward Heron, Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure, said:
“We have been working with Hampshire County Council and the Department of Health and Social Care to identify sites in the district that can accommodate testing sites. This is particularly important so our residents in more rural areas, who may not have ready access to public transport, are able to quickly and safely access testing without the need to travel great distances.”
Appointments can be booked online www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
LATEST COVID-19 FIGURES
In the seven days to 9th February, there were 1,714 positive Covid-19 cases recorded in Hampshire.
That's a decrease of 969 compared to the previous week.
That gives the county a rolling rate per 100,000 population of 124.0.
The England average is 167.5.
What is Covid-19?
Covid-19 emerged as a virus in December 2019 as the first cases are reported in Wuhan, China. Scientifically known as SARS-CoV-2, the virus created a global pandemic as it began to spread around the world. Symptoms can range from very mild to severe, causing death in some cases. Some people are completely asymptomatic and do not realise they even have the virus.
Has there been a virus like this before?
The SARS pandemic in 2003 was similar to Covid-19 in that it was also caused by a coronavirus. SARS stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. The global outbreak of SARS lasted from 2002-2003, infecting over 8,000 people and killing 774. Covid-19 and SARS are both respiratory illnesses, but SARS was much more deadly and less infectious.
What are the main symptoms?
The NHS say the main Covid-19 symptoms are a high temperature, a new and continuous cough and loss or change to taste of sense or smell. NHS advises people with Covid-19 to take plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, and take paracetamol for a high temperature.
What was the Government reaction?
The UK Government announced the first of several lockdowns in March 2020. By the end of the month, more than 100 countries around the world introduce full or partial lockdowns, preventing people from going to work, restricting everyday tasks and affecting the livelihoods of billions of people globally.
Which countries have been worst hit?
During the first year of the pandemic, the US recorded the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the world and the most deaths, reporting an unprecedented 100,000 new cases in one day on November 4th 2020. Thousands of new cases were recorded on the same date in India (46,000+), the United Kingdom (22,000+), Brazil (17,000+) and Mexico (5,000+), while Ireland records less than 1,000 (578). Hundreds of other countries also reported a high rate of infection.
How have vaccines fought against Covid-19?
Vaccines began being approved for use across the globe. By January 2021, the UK approved the use of three different vaccines. The Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine, Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and the Moderna vaccine are rolled out to the public, with older people and those with greater health concerns getting priority. In April 2022, just under 53 million people had received at least one dose of the vaccine.
What are new Covid variants?
Four new variants of Covid-19 were discovered around the world. Beta was found in South Africa, Gamma in Brazil and Delta in India, while the Alpha variant was first located in Kent, UK. New variants are not likely to make someone more seriously ill than Covid-19 would, but variants like Delta have a higher infection rate, meaning it can be more easily spread.
The Omicron variant was first detected late 2021 in South Africa. Since then, it has become one of the most dominant variants in the world, with its own sub strains - BA.4 and BA.5.