Lateral Flow Testing Sites Launched in Cumbria
Written by News on 19/02/2021
The battle to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Cumbria is being boosted by the roll-out of the first phase of COVID-19 Lateral Flow Community Testing Sites around the county.
Adhering to current lockdown and Government guidance, Cumbria County Council have announced that several lateral flow testing sites are now available to the public.
Currently, the community testing sites are intended only for people that are unable to work from home and those who are in greater community contact as part of their job. Those that can work from home should continue to do so. This is aimed to detect the virus in the community and not allowing lockdown restrictions to be eased at this stage.
Phase one initially consists of five sites opening across the county in Kendal, Millom, Carlisle, Penrith, and Aspatria, with further sites opening soon. People are still encouraged to stay local and not to travel excessively to testing sites far away from their homes.
The lateral flow tests provide a result within 30 minutes, with no need for tests to be sent away to a laboratory for analysis. Regular LFD testing of people without COVID-19 symptoms is a key part of the Government’s strategy to control the spread of the virus. LFD testing helps spot asymptomatic carriers, people who do have COVID-19 and are infectious but are not ill. These people can then self-isolate to protect others.
If you have symptoms of coronavirus, you are ask to not attend the test site, but instead book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
The five sites now running are:
Kendal: Queen Katherine School, Appleby Rd, Kendal LA9 6PJ
Thursdays 17:45 – 19:30
Saturdays 09:15 – 12:30
Millom: Millom School, Salthouse Road, Millom, LA18 5AB
Saturdays 09:15 – 12:30
Wednesdays 17:30 – 19:30
Carlisle: Trinity School Sports Hall, Strand Rd, Carlisle CA1 1JB
Saturdays 09:15 – 12:30
Wednesdays 17:15 – 19:30
Penrith: Ullswater Community College, Wetheriggs Lane, Penrith, CA11 8NG
Saturdays 09:15 – 12:30
Wednesdays 17:15 – 19:30
Aspatria: Beacon Hill School, Market Square, Aspatria, Wigton CA7 3EZ
Saturdays 09:15 – 12:30
Cumbria County Council says that no appointment is necessary – just arrive at the testing site between the stated times.
Please wear a face covering unless you have a medical exemption. Please note, the testing sites will not be open outside these times.
If you have any queries, please email the project team via ask.LFT@cumbria.gov.uk.
