Covid testing ends in Needham Market
Today is the final day
Residents living in and around Needham Market are reminded that the mobile service offering PCR tests for coronavirus will finish this weekend.
The unit will cease operation after close of business on today (29 May) at 6pm.
It is operating in the car park of the former Mid Suffolk District Council offices off Hurstlea Road in Needham Market.
Testing is open between 9am to 6pm. People do not need to book an appointment.
The unit was introduced on Saturday May 22 after a cluster of positive cases around the town and the nearby Wattisham air base was identified.
Two units were sent initially but this was scaled back to one from Tuesday.
Stuart Keeble, Director of Public Health for Suffolk, said:
"The community response to coming forward and being tested has been excellent and we are extremely grateful for the support of the public.
"Identifying and stopping the spread of the virus is key and this programme of enhanced PCR testing for the Needham Market area has served its purpose well."
More than 1,870 tests have been carried out by the unit so far. Of these, 11 have given positive results.
Currently, a total of 35 cases of coronavirus have been associated with the outbreak of which 17 are classed as being of the B.1.617.2 'Indian' variant of concern.
There are now a total of 30 confirmed cases of the variant in Suffolk, of which 22 have been found in residents in the Mid Suffolk district, five in West Suffolk and three in Ipswich.
At least two of the cases are in individuals with a Suffolk address but who have not been in the county during their infectious period - one from West Suffolk and one from Ipswich.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or requiring a PCR test after Saturday can get one in the usual way via local test centres or ordering a home testing kit via 119 or the Gov.UK website.
People without symptoms are encouraged to also test regularly using lateral flow device (LFD) which are widely available from pharmacies, schools and libraries in Suffolk and which can also be ordered via 119 or Gov.UK.