Coronavirus testing ramped up in Hartlepool

Tests will be available at the Department of Health and Social Care’s mobile testing unit at the Hartlepool Waterfront site from Monday 14 September right through to Friday 18 September and also on Sunday 20 September, rather than just on Monday and Tuesday as is currently the case.

You must book a test – you can’t just turn up.

The advice to residents is – if you have Coronavirus symptoms, book a test straight away.

The main symptoms of the virus are:

• a high temperature
• a new, continuous cough
• a loss of or change to your sense of smell or taste

You should only get a test if you have one or more of these symptoms, otherwise you could be taking a test away from someone who really needs it. You must also not book tests in advance on the off chance that you might need them in future.

You can book a test by going online at www.gov.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119 - do not use 111.

The Government’s test booking system releases testing appointment slots throughout the day, so if you are not able to immediately obtain a local testing appointment, please try again later in the day. Home testing kits can also be ordered, for people who can’t get to a testing site. 

If someone in your household starts to have symptoms, that person must get tested and the rest of the household should self-isolate with them while they wait for the results. 

If you or other members of the household don’t have symptoms, you should not get a test – only people with symptoms should get tested. The vast majority of people who are tested in person get their results the very next day.

If you are self-isolating or in quarantine, a negative test result does not mean you can end isolation early. The virus can take time to develop and so a test early on does not prove that you won’t go on to develop the virus. That means you could still be at risk of spreading the disease to other people.

Craig Blundred, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Acting Director of Public Health, said: “We are very pleased we’ve been able to get substantially more local testing from the Government.

“It’s vital that if you have one or more of the Coronavirus symptoms, don’t delay – book a test right away.

“Only by doing so – and by us all following the rules on social distancing, handwashing and using face masks – can we halt the resurgence of the virus and avoid the prospect of another lockdown.”