New coronavirus testing site in Portsmouth opens for the public

A NEW walk-through Covid testing facility has opened in the city for those with symptoms.
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The testing site at Unit 9, North Harbour Road in Cosham, Portsmouth, is designed to be accessible for people without cars and is part of the government’s drive to improve testing accessibility for local communities.

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Health minister Lord Bethell said: ‘To respond to coronavirus we have built a major testing and tracing system from scratch. We are constantly working to expand and improve it with new technologies and innovations so everyone with symptoms can get a test.

A new walk-through Covid testing centre has been set up in Cosham.

Photo credit: Mike Egerton/PA WireA new walk-through Covid testing centre has been set up in Cosham.

Photo credit: Mike Egerton/PA Wire
A new walk-through Covid testing centre has been set up in Cosham. Photo credit: Mike Egerton/PA Wire
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‘New walk-in sites like this one makes it even easier to get a test no matter where you live. 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 and stop the spread of the virus.’

Baroness Dido Harding, interim executive chair of the National Institute for Health Protection, added: ‘Walk through sites offer communities better access to coronavirus testing, so everyone with symptoms can get a test.

‘This new site is part of our ongoing work to expand our testing network across the UK which is now has the capacity to process more than 500,000 tests a day. We will continue to expand capacity to improve test turnaround times and push forward testing innovations to make sure anyone who needs a test can get one.’

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

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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.

Once a test has been booked, guidance will be provided as to how to get to and from the test centre.

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

Appointments can be made by calling 119 or via the NHS coronavirus website.

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Anyone testing positive for the virus in England will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them trace their contacts.

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