Suffolk's rapid testing centres to close by end of month
They're being shut in line with the continued roll-out and popularity of home testing
All of Suffolk's rapid coronavirus testing centres will be closed by the end of the month.
The centres are ceasing operation in line with the continued roll-out of home testing and its growing popularity with residents.
According to Suffolk County Council, over 700,000 home kits have been handed out.
The first of the closures will be the site at Felixstowe Leisure Centre at the end of today (14 May), with the remaining 13 closing at the end of the day on 28th May.
Stuart Keeble, Director of Public Health for Suffolk, said:
"The centres played a valuable role in the outstanding testing capacity we have delivered since January - it was an ambitious roll-out and we achieved this with efficiency and effectiveness.
"We recognised that testing would evolve from static centres to people testing at home and in the workplace.
"The centres enabled people who were not able to work from home during lockdown to test regularly and identify if they had COVID-19, even if they were not showing symptoms.
"We know from feedback from users of the centres that they prefer home testing, so the need for fixed-site testing centres is no longer there now. The most important thing is that people continue to test regularly."
In total, 28 rapid testing sites were opened across Suffolk by March with nearly 90,000 tests carried out, identifying 155 positive coronavirus cases.
14 smaller sites were closed later that month due to home testing kits becoming more readily available.
While the remaining testing centres are closing, home testing kits can be obtained from:
- Any of the 47 libraries in Suffolk
- Over 130 pharmacies in the county
- Regional testing centre at copdock
- Home delivery via Gov.UK or by calling NHS 119
Members of the public are encouraged to take part in twice weekly testing, even if they do not have symptoms of coronavirus.
People with symptoms, or who give a positive lateral flow test result, can still access PCR testing via regional and local testing centres, mobile testing units, calling NHS 119 or through Gov.UK.