Health chiefs draft in second mobile testing unit into town centre in response to Northampton's Covid-19 spike

Health chiefs have drafted in a second mobile testing unit into Northampton following recent spikes in Covid-19 cases.

One drive-through and walk-in facility has been stationed in the town centre since Thursday and will remain here until Monday evening.

The second unit will be available for walk-in appointments on Saturday and Sunday to allow more people to be swabbed.

Another mobile unit is deployed in Wellingborough from until Monday. Test appointments for any of the units can be made online by clicking HERE.

Local health officials issued new guidance for Northampton residents on Thursday after Public Health England identified the town as an "area of concern" over rising infection rates.

And Borough Council leader Jonathan Nunn warned the easing of lockdown measures may need to be reversed if the upward trend was not halted.

Cllr Nunn said: "I won’t shy from the fact that we could be in a different position to the rest of the country in terms of guidance by the end of next week.

"It’s down to us as a population to do something about it."

HERE'S THE ADVICE YOU NEED TO FOLLOW IN AND AROUND NORTHAMPTONCounty councillor Ian Morris, Portfolio holder for Public Health said: “We are issuing a set of messages to the residents of Northampton to help us to start to reduce the level of transmission.

“If you have symptoms of Covid-19, however mild, get tested and self-isolate.

"It is essential that the public follow the guidance and that everyone acts responsibly in reducing the risk of transmission and protecting those in our communities who are most vulnerable.”

Eligibility criteria for tests have been extended to include anyone with coronavirus symptoms — new, continuous cough; high temperature; loss of or change in sense of smell or taste.

Essential workers will be given a priority.

For tests to be effective you must be symptomatic. More guidance can be found HERE.People who test positive for COVID-19 will 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.

Anyone who has 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.