Health chiefs draft in extra testers to tackle worrying rise in Northampton's Covid-19 cases

Health chiefs are drafting in extra testing capacity to tackle rising numbers of Covid-19 cases in Northampton.

A mobile unit will be deployed in the town centre from tomorrow (Thursday) through to Monday enabling more local people to get a drive-through or walk-in test closer to where they live.

Latest government figures showed the coronavirus infection rate in the borough remains above the national and regional average at 533.9 cases per 100,000 people since the pandemic began.

Northampton is more vulnerable to Covid-19 outbreaks than other parts of the county because of its higher population density and its larger proportion of people with multiple long-term health conditions are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill.

Northamptonshire’s Director of Public Health Lucy Wightman said: “We are concerned that coronavirus cases in Northampton remain higher than we would like them to be so we have arranged for additional testing capacity to be provided for the town over the coming days.

“Anyone with even the mildest coronavirus symptoms – so that’s a continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss or change in your sense of smell or taste – must first of all isolate at home straight away with everyone else in their household.

"This is absolutely essential to help stop the further spread of the virus locally and protect vulnerable people, and though you may otherwise feel well you must not go to work or even visit a shop because this will put others at risk.

“Secondly, you should book a test via the NHS website or by calling 119. If you test positive you should continue to stay at home in line with government guidance – and this will enable the NHS test and trace service to identify and alert other people you may have come into contact with.”

Covid-19 has now claimed 655 lives in Northamptonshire's two main hospitals and care homes, the latest of which was at Northampton General Hospital on Saturday.

Today's government figures showed the number of positive tests in Northampton has risen by 101 in the previous two weeks — equivalent to around 24 per 100,000 of the population. The same figure had jumped to around in 140 in Leicester when the city was ordered back into lockdown 2½ weeks ago.

Anyone experiencing even mild symptoms is being urged to book a test to curb the spread of the virus. Tests are by appointment only and can be booked online from 6pm today (Wednesday) or by calling 119. Home testing kits can also be ordered subject to availability.

Those testing positive for Covid-19 must stay at home for at least seven days, and any other members of the same household who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. That two-week period starts from the day when the first person in the household became ill.

Those who test positive for Covid-19 will also be helped by the NHS test and trace service to identify the people they’ve recently been in contact with so they can be alerted. It’s important to support the test and trace service by providing as much information as possible about recent contacts to help contain any further spread of the virus.

People who have had close recent contact with someone with coronavirus must then self-isolate for 14 days, if they are advised to do so by the NHS test and trace service, to help contain the spread of infection.