Rapid COVID-19 test centres will now be open to everyone.
The 11 centres across Cumbria have been only open for essential workers unable to work from home, but as lockdown rules relax and up to six people being allowed to meet outside, Cumbria County Council has decided to make the facilities available to everyone.
Lateral flow testing will be available to anyone in the community who does not have COVID-19 symptoms but wants a test to help keep themselves, their family and those they come into contact with, safe.
The current sites are in Carlisle, Aspatria, Kendal, Penrith, Millom, Barrow in Furness, Dalton, Milnthorpe, Sedbergh, Workington and Whitehaven.
Other locations are in the pipeline.
The rapid result test centre use lateral flow device tests which are processed on site without needing to be sent to a laboratory.
The tests give a result in 30 minutes and help identify asymptomatic carriers, people who do not feel unwell but do have COVID-19 and are infectious. These people can then self-isolate to protect others.
Getting tested is simple and takes about 15 minutes and results are sent by text or email normally within an hour, meaning people don’t have to hang around.
The tests are free and no booking is required, but please note the test sites are located in school premises, so are only open for testing at the times stated.
People who do have symptoms of coronavirus should book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
They should not attend a Lateral Flow Community Testing Site with symptoms.
Colin Cox, Cumbria’s director of public health, said: “Mass lateral flow testing of those without symptoms is a key part of the national and local strategy for preventing the spread of Covid, getting us out of lockdown and keeping case rates low to avoid another wave.
“With lockdown restrictions easing a little and people coming into more contact with others, this is the next phase of our testing strategy to open these test centres up to the whole population.
“Some people might need a regular test because of their job or work they do in the community, others might want the reassurance of a test before meeting with family and friends, or after coming into contact with others, especially if they are vulnerable.
“There is a lot of misinformation online about lateral flow tests, but we are confident they are a credible tool to help fight the virus.
“They pick up the majority of cases where people are likely to be infectious, and the rate of false positives is low – and positive cases are now all being checked and confirmed by a PCR test as well.
“So I’d encourage people to take up the offer of getting tested regularly, which alongside maintaining good social distancing, wearing face coverings and hand washing will go a long way to protect yourself and others and keep the rate of transmission low.”
Normal test centre opening times
Aspatria: Beacon Hill School, Market Square, Aspatria, Wigton CA7 3EZ
Saturdays 9.15am to 12.30pm
Barrow: Furness Academy Park Drive, Barrow-In-Furness, LA13 9BB
Tuesday 5.15pm to 7.30pm
Thursday 5.15pm to 7.30pm
Carlisle: Trinity School Scout Hut (next to Sports Hall), Strand Rd, Carlisle CA1 1JB
Saturdays 9.15am to 12.30pm
Wednesdays 5.15pm to 7.30pm
Dalton: Dowdales School, Dalton-In-Furness, LA15 8AH (Please Park at bottom and walk up drive)
Monday 4.15pm to 6.30pm
Thursday 4.15pm to 6.30pm
Kendal: Queen Katherine School, Appleby Rd, Kendal LA9 6PJ
Thursdays 5.15pm to 7.30pm
Saturdays 9.15am to 12.30pm
Millom: Millom School, Salthouse Road, Millom, LA18 5AB
Saturdays 9.15am to 12.30pm
Wednesdays 5.15pm to 7.30pm
Milnthorpe: Tristrams Sports Field (not the main school), Heversham, Milnthorpe, LA7 7EW
Tuesdays 5.15pm to 7.30pm
Penrith: Ullswater Community College, Wetheriggs Lane, Penrith, CA11 8NG
Saturdays 9.15am to 12.30pm
Wednesdays 5.15pm to 7.30pm
Sedbergh: Settlebeck School, Long Lane, Sedbergh, LA10 5AL
Monday 5.15pm to 7.30pm
Whitehaven: St Benedicts School, Red Lonning, Whitehaven, CA28 8UG
Wednesdays 5.15pm to 7.30pm
Workington: Workington Academy, Stainburn Rd, Workington, CA14 4EB
Monday 5.15pm to 7.30pm
Thursday 5.15pm to 7.30pm
Easter opening time changes to three centres:
- Dalton, Dowdales School: CLOSED on 5/4/21 and 15/4/21
- Workington, Workington Academy: CLOSED on 5/4/21, 8/4/21 and 12/4/21
- Barrow, Furness Academy: CLOSED on 1/4/21 and TIME CHANGE to 12.15-15:00 on 6/4/21, 8/4/21, 13/4/21 and 15/4/21
To attend a site and be tested:
- No appointment is necessary – please just arrive at the testing site between times stated
- Please wear a face covering unless you have a medical exemption
- Please note, the testing sites will not be open outside these times
- If you have symptoms of coronavirus, please do not attend the test site, but instead book a test online or by calling 119.
