Mobile coronavirus testing units are scheduled to be at locations across Sefton nearly very day in August.
Over 7,000 tests to tell people whether they have the Covid-19 virus have already been carried out at drive-through sites in Bootle, Crosby, Litherland, Maghull and Southport.
Confirmation of August dates for the sites, which are supported by Sefton Council, NHS Southport and Formby CCG and NHS South Sefton CCG, follows on from a timetable that saw units deployed across Sefton Borough every day in July.
Tests at mobile centres are available for anyone but they need to have made an appointment first at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
Latest August Mobile Testing Unit sites confirmed so far are:
Monday 10 Crosby
Tuesday 11 Crosby
Weds 12 No mobile testing*
Thursday 13 No mobile testing*
Friday 14 Southport
Saturday 15 Southport
Sunday 16 Southport
Monday 17 Crosby
Tuesday 18 Crosby
Weds 19 Crosby
*One of the Mobile Testing Unit teams is a reserve team, and is being deployed to other Merseyside locations on these days.
Sefton Council Leader Cllr Ian Maher said: “I am proud that in April Sefton hosted Cheshire and Merseyside’s very first mobile coronavirus testing site, in Southport, and that since then we have established five regular venues where over 7,000 tests have been administered.
“Drive-through tests for people to find out whether they had the COVID-19 virus were available somewhere in Sefton every day in July and are scheduled to take place throughout August as well.
“Coronavirus is still very much with us and to prevent its spread and the need to reintroduce restrictions, it’s important that anyone who has the coronavirus symptoms of a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss or change in their normal sense of taste or smell visits www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or calls 119 to book a test.”
Essential workers can book through www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test-essential-workers and key NHS employees can attend regional testing sites at Liverpool John Lennon Airport as well as Haydock and Manchester Airport without the need for an appointment.
Fiona Taylor, Chief Officer at NHS South Sefton and NHS Southport and Formby CCGs said: “Although coronavirus often has more serious consequences for older people and those with existing health conditions, please remember that people of any age can catch and pass on the virus to friends and loved ones without knowing it. It can take several days for symptoms to appear, so that is why it is so important to wear a face covering, keep washing your hands and maintain social distancing to reduce the risk of spreading this serious illness throughout your community.
“As soon as you have any of the COVID-19 symptoms, you, and anyone you live with should self-isolate, and you should arrange a test as soon as possible. The Government’s NHS Test and Trace service will call you in a day or two with your results and explain what needs to happen next. We also strongly urge anyone who has been contacted through Test and Trace to respond and share information about their recent interactions.”
Cllr Maher added: “Recently, the Government handed councils the powers to impose local restrictions in the event of a spike in coronavirus cases but we see the use of those powers in Sefton very much as a last resort.
“If people of all ages across the Borough act responsibility, follow the guidelines on handwashing, distancing and face coverings and respond quickly if they suspect they have symptoms of the virus or are contacted by the Test and Trace service, there should be no need for restrictions to be reintroduced.”