COVID-19: Important information for Hartlepool residents

Mr Blundred says it is important we all "follow the advice which is there to help keep us, our loved ones, and ultimately our community safe".

He added: “We know the Indian variant is now circulating in the North East and possible any new cases in Hartlepool could be linked to this.

“We appreciate it is very inconvenient to have to self-isolate – particularly at a time such as a half term holiday – but it really is the most effective way of preventing the Coronavirus from spreading.

“Hartlepool residents unable to work whilst self-isolating – or caring for a child that is self-isolating – can also apply for help from the Government’s Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme.

“You can find out more at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/test-and-trace-payments-info”

In the last week – cases of VOC-21APR-02 which was first detected in India – have increased significantly in England.

As Public Health England continues to monitor new variants, please remember that the best way to protect against the virus is to continue following the professional advice:

• Remember hands, face, space and fresh air
• Socialise outdoors
• Work from home if you can
• Get vaccinated and take up the offer of regular testing
• If you are told to get a test, if you have any symptoms at all or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, please make sure you get tested too
• By law, if you test positive or are instructed by the Test and Trace programme, you must self-isolate

For updated guidance on Coronavirus restrictions please see www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do

The current locations of the COVID-19 testing centres in Hartlepool are as follows:

For people WITH symptoms, there are two local (PCR) testing centres:

• The Hartlepool Waterfront site (TS24 0XN).
• The Sandy Car Park (former coach park) at Seaton Carew (TS25 1DD).

Testing at these centres is only available for people with one or more of the COVID symptoms - a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste or for people identified as contacts of cases.

Tests are free and must be booked in advance at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119. Both centres are open seven days a week.

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For people WITHOUT symptoms (and who have not been told to isolate), the testing centre is:

• The COVID Test and Collect Centre in Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, just along from WH Smith and directly opposite the Vodafone shop. The centre is open Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) from 9am to 5pm.

If you are aged 18 or over and live or work in Hartlepool, you can use the COVID Test and Collect Centre to:

Get a free test

Tests must be booked in advance online at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/covid-test-and-collect or by calling (01429) 523330 during normal office hours.

Collect a free kit to test yourself and your family for COVID at home

You can collect up to 2 packs of 7 tests – no booking is required, just drop in. The staff at the centre will advise you on how to use the testing kit safely and to avoid a false result. The tests are not suitable for pre-school and primary school aged schoolchildren and should not be used for these age groups.

If you are tested at the COVID Test and Collect Centre you will get your result by text within 24 hours - and in most instances within an hour – together with instructions on what to do next if you test positive. If you test yourself at home, the testing kit will give you the result.

If you test positive from a test at the COVID Test and Collect Centre or from a home testing kit, to confirm the result you must then arrange to get a further, different type of test (called a PCR test) at a PCR testing centre by booking at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or calling 119.

All adults without symptoms are being encouraged to get tested twice a week - even after they have been vaccinated - to help the country on the path back to normal life.