Walk-in coronavirus testing in Kettering until further notice

The new test site in Kettering's London Road car park will be in the town "until further notice" with walk-in tests available.

Until now, Kettering had only had mobile units offering tests by appointment over a few days until the site moved on.

Health officials said: "Improving access to Covid-19 testing is an important part of county-wide efforts to control the spread of coronavirus, and the new facility will give people in Kettering a longer-term option for getting tested in their area."

A testing site is also being set up in Northampton Market Square until further notice.

Health officials warned on Sunday that they are closely monitoring coronavirus rates in Kettering, where the rate of infection per 100,000 people is "significantly higher" than both the county and national averages.

The local testing site in London Road car park is made up of two marquees and opened yesterday (Thursday) between 2pm and 5pm.

It will be open today (Friday) for walk-in tests between 10am and 5pm before it starts operating seven days a week between 8am and 8pm. The first day of full testing hours will be tomorrow (Saturday, August 1).

Anyone experiencing even mild coronavirus symptoms should isolate at home with their household and book a test. The symptoms are a new, continuous cough, a high temperature, and a loss or change in sense of smell and/or taste.

If you test positive for coronavirus, you will be helped by the NHS test and trace service to identify the people you've recently been in contact with, so they can be alerted.

If you have been in recent contact with someone with Covid-19, you must self-isolate for 14 days if advised by the NHS test and trace service. This is to contain the spread of the infection.

Tests can be booked online at nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.

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