Changes made to community Covid testing in Warwickshire - The Stratford Observer

Changes made to community Covid testing in Warwickshire

Stratford Editorial 14th May, 2021   0

COMMUNITY Covid in Warwickshire is changing.

With increased access to testing – especially at home and in the workplace – vaccinations, reducing Covid cases and the reduction in people using community test sites, Warwickshire County Council has changed the offer for testing for those without Covid symptoms to meet the changing needs of the county’s communities.

Free home testing kits are now widely available in Warwickshire pharmacies. Test kits can also be booked online for delivery.

Testing is also supported through schools and health and care settings, and around 600 Warwickshire businesses are also supplying tests for more than 73,000 employees.




From May 24, residents who access regular, symptom-free, rapid Covid-19 tests will still be able to visit their local test centre, but operating hours will be changed.

When sites are open during the week, the hours will be shorter, but weekends will stay the same.


Talking about the many ways people can now access testing, Director of Public Health for Warwickshire County Council, Shade Agboola said: “Testing remains a key tool in our armoury as we move into the next phase out of lockdown, but with access to tests now increased through workplace testing, care homes, booking online or by picking a test kit from your local pharmacy, the demand for community testing has significantly reduced. Therefore, it makes perfect sense for our test centres to adapt to the change in the way residents are accessing testing.

“In addition to our test sites we also have a mobile test service which visits different locations around the county each day. The unit can also be used to respond to case rises in local communities, so a fast response can be provided to test, trace and isolate any potential cases.

“Testing for those without symptoms of Covid-19 is still advised twice weekly for anyone leaving home for work, to shop or to socialise. If you have symptoms of Covid-19, please self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test at any of the NHS test sites by booking online at www.NHS.gov.uk or by calling 119.

Visit https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test to order test kits for delivery.

Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk or https://tinyurl.com/dkm5ryp6 for more information about testing for those without symptoms of Covid-19, or to find your nearest test centre.

The new operating hours are as follows:

Water Orton Community Hall, Water Orton

Open Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (closed on Wednesday and Thursday).

United Reform Church, Nuneaton

Open on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (closed on Tuesday and Wednesday).

Indian Centre, Edward Street, Rugby

Open on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (closed on Tuesday and Wednesday).

Rear of The Other Place Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, 22 Southern Ln, Stratford

Open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (closed on Tuesday and Thursday).

Adult and Community Learning Site, Pound Lane, Lillington, Leamington

Open on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (closed on Tuesday and Wednesday).

The Saunders Club, Bedworth

Closed due to lease expiring.

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