New Covid walk-through testing centre opened near Leeds city centre

A new walk-through coronavirus testing site has opened just outside of Leeds city centre.
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The new testing clinic is in the Mandela Community Centre, in Chapeltown Road, Chapeltown.

It opened on Thursday, November 5.

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

Covid-19 testing centre stock photograph for illustrative purposes only.Covid-19 testing centre stock photograph for illustrative purposes only.
Covid-19 testing centre stock photograph for illustrative purposes only.

People are also required to book before attending.

The new site easily accessible without a car.

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

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.

Health Minister Lord Bethell said: “To respond to the 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.

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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, said: “Walk through sites offer communities better access to coronavirus testing, so everyone with symptoms can get a test.

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"This new site is part of our ongoing work to expand our testing network across the UK which 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."

The testing centre is being operated in partnership with Sodexo and will offer self-administered tests.

Sean Haley, regional chair of Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “Sodexo teams have moved quickly to set up COVID-19 testing centres as part of the industry-wide effort to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. The Leeds site will mean more people can be tested. I am proud of our colleagues who are working together with pace and dedication to support the NHS."

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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.

This will help to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission.

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.

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They will be advised to also book a test if they develop symptoms.

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