Walk-through testing for Rotherham residents

Cllr Roche, Teresa Roche and Cllr Read at the local test site on Forge Island.
Cllr Roche, Teresa Roche and Cllr Read at the local test site on Forge Island.

Rotherham residents can now access a COVID-19 test at the new walk-through Local Testing Site on Forge Island, Rotherham town centre.

The Department of Health and Social Care operated site will be open to the public from Wednesday 29 July and is expected to be open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week for the next 12 weeks. This walk-through site is in addition to the drive-through site at Midland Road.

Anyone with coronavirus symptoms, however mild, or those who are concerned that they have been in contact who is COVID-19 positive, are urged to get tested. Appointments are preferred to make sure that everyone who needs a test can get one as soon as possible.

Social distancing signs and measures are in place and people are asked to wear a face covering to keep everyone at the site safe. The simple swab test that takes less than a minute. Some people may experience some mild discomfort, but the test is painless.

Rotherham Council Leader, Cllr Chris Read, said: “Forge Island is a central location for the testing site and will be accessible for everyone who needs to use it. We have already had a fantastic response from people across Rotherham getting tested at mobile test centres in Herringthorpe and at Midland Road over the past two week and now we are continuing our commitment to reducing the transmission of the virus with the new walk-through centre.”

Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group chairperson, Richard Cullen, said: “I can only reiterate how important it is to have a test if you have symptoms, even if they are mild, or if you work with or have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus. By getting tested, you are helping to highlight areas in the borough which may need vital support. Please, if you have symptoms, get tested. And, if you are tested positive you must self-isolate.”

Test results will be returned the next day. If tested positive, you will need to self-isolate for 10 days with those living in your household needing to isolate for 14 days. You will also be contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service who will ask for details of the people with who you have recently been in contact with.

If you get a negative result, this means you did not have the virus at the time of your tests, it does not mean you are immune to the virus. You should continue to follow social distancing guidance, wear a face covering and wash your hands regularly to avoid contracting the virus. If you develop symptoms, you will need to have another test.

Further information about getting a test visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119.

Published: 29th July 2020