Snow and ice still affecting Covid test sites across Northamptonshire

Health officials are keeping fingers crossed for a quick thaw after wintry weather closed some coronavirus testing centres in Northamptonshire.

Problems at Northampton and Kettering forced Department of Health officials to shut two sites in Northampton and Kettering on Monday.

And another in Corby at James Ashworth VC Square remained closed on Tuesday morning on safety grounds with ice surrounding the site.

Northamptonshire currently has eight sites around the county offering pre-booked appointments to anyone with Covid-19 symptoms and officials say people should be notified and offered an alternative appointment if their chosen site is closed.

Rhosyn Harris, Senior Responsible Officer for Covid-19 Testing at Public Health Northamptonshire, said: “Given the adverse weather over the weekend, all the Covid-19 testing sites are under constant review to ensure they are safe and able to operate effectively.

"We have been assured by Department of Health and Social Care colleagues that if a decision is made to close a test site at any point, residents with an existing appointment will be notified and provided with an alternative testing location to ensure their test is able to go ahead.”

Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms — a high temperature, continuous cough or loss of or change in sense of smell or taste — should immediately self-isolate and book a test.

Tests can be booked on the Test and Trace app, online HERE or by calling 119. Home testing kits can also be ordered, subject to availability.

All those testing positive must self-isolate for ten days or face a hefty fine. Your household also need to stay in isolating for ten days from the date symptoms started.

Those who test positive for Covid-19 will be helped by the NHS Test and Trace service to identify people they have recently been in contact with so they can be alerted and

also told to self-isolate if required.

More than 15,000 positive swabs have been reported in Northamptonshire since January 1, according to Public Health England's daily figures.

Yesterday's figure of 299 — counting tests up to 4pm on Sunday — was the lowest since Christmas.