Wem residents urged to get tested after spike of Covid cases
People in Wem are being urged to get tested for coronavirus after a recent spike in cases.
The test centre will be available at Wem Swimming & Lifestyle Centre car park at Bowens Field from Saturday.
It will be open for testing between 10am and 3pm. It comes after the seven-day infection rate for the area reached 824.4 cases per 100,000 residents.
Testing is available for anyone who has one of the main Covid-19 symptoms, such as a high temperature, a new cough or a change in sense of taste or smell.
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Health officials are also encouraging anyone to consider getting tested as a precaution if they have shortness of breath, headaches, aches and pains, feeling very tired for no good reason, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, nausea in children.
Strict infection control measures will be in place to ensure the testing units are operated with the highest levels of public health safeguards.
Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said: “We are now at a critical point in our fight against the virus here in Shropshire.
“Like many areas of the county, Wem has experienced a rise in positive cases. The current seven-day infection rate for Wem stands at 824.4 cases per 100,000, with the majority having occurred within the wider community with people of all ages.
"We believe this is due to the strength of the new variant, coupled with households mixing over the festive period.
“Effective testing for Covid-19 is one of the first lines of defence in reducing infections. Wem residents with lesser known coronavirus symptoms – such as shortness of breath, a headache, fatigue and a sore throat – can now get tested at this site.
“A national lockdown gives everyone a simple, straightforward message – stay at home – and we are pleading with people to follow that advice, not only to protect themselves and their loved ones, but our local NHS workers as well, who are coming under increasing pressure.
“It is well known that this variant is easier to catch, so we must continue to be vigilant and act like we all have Covid. Every social contact provides the virus with a chance to spread so please, stay at home and don’t make any unnecessary journeys.”
All appointments must be pre-booked which can be done online at gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
People can use the option of “my council has asked me to book a test” if they have the less common symptoms.
