Coronavirus: New Covid test centre opens at O2 Guildhall in Southampton

A NEW walk-through coronavirus testing facility has opened up in Hampshire.
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The centre is in the O2 Guildhall in Southampton and is open for people who have symptoms of Covid-19 to get tested.

Testing is available only for those with coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

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Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.

A man gets a Covid-19 quick test. Picture: GEORG HOCHMUTH/APA/AFP via Getty ImagesA man gets a Covid-19 quick test. Picture: GEORG HOCHMUTH/APA/AFP via Getty Images
A man gets a Covid-19 quick test. Picture: GEORG HOCHMUTH/APA/AFP via Getty Images

Health Minister Lord Bethell said: ‘We continue to expand testing to make sure that everyone with symptoms can get a test, with our new walk-in sites making it even easier no matter where you live.

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‘This new site forms part of our national testing network, which has the capacity to test more than a million people a week and is growing all the time.

‘If you have symptoms of coronavirus, I urge you to book a test today and follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace if you are contacted to protect others around you and stop the spread of the virus.’

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From the start of the pandemic, testing has been prioritised for the most vulnerable, including patients in clinical settings and care home residents, vital health and care staff and to manage outbreaks.

The new site is situated so as to be easily accessible without a car.

Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face-covering throughout, including while travelling to and from the testing centre.

Anyone attending an appointment at walk-through testing will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

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Testing at the new site will start today with appointments made available each day.

Simon Venn, chief government and strategy officer at Mitie, added: ‘Our priority during the pandemic is to support the nation’s efforts to fight COVID-19 and help keep the country running.

‘Testing is a critical part of the UK’s strategy to combat coronavirus and we’re proud to support the Government with this vital task. A big thank you to all the NHS staff, Mitie employees and other frontline heroes in Southampton, who are working tirelessly to keep us all safe.’

Anyone testing positive for the virus in England will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them track their contacts. This will help people to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission.

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Close contacts of those testing positive will also hear from NHS Test and Trace, asking them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus. They will be advised to also book a test if they develop symptoms.

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