More Lateral Flow Testing Sites Open

Essential workers who can’t work from home now have more ways to access COVID-19 Rapid Result Lateral Flow testing, with eleven new sites now open in Cumbria.

The news follows five testing sites opening last week in Kendal, Millom, Carlisle, Penrith and Aspatria.

This week, six new sites have been opened in Milnthorpe, Sedbergh, Barrow in Furness, Dalton, Workington and Whitehaven.

Lateral Flow tests give a result in 30 minutes and can help identify asymptomatic carriers – people who have COVID-19 and are infectious but do not have any symptoms or feel unwell. These people can then self-isolate to protect others.

The testing sites are open for any essential workers who can’t work from home and come into regular contact with others through their job and who do not have COVID-19 symptoms. The tests are free and no booking is required, but Cumbria County Council asks people to note that the sites are only open at the times stated. Thousands are having Lateral Flow tests every week, but not all employers are able to provide testing themselves and that is where the County’s community testing sites come in.

People who do have symptoms of coronavirus should book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. They should not attend a Lateral Flow Community Testing Site.

Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said:

“Mass Lateral Flow Testing of those without symptoms is a key part of the strategy for preventing the spread of Covid and getting us out of lockdown.

“With these additional 6 sites announced this week, we now have eleven sites up and running. Opening times will be reviewed based on demand for testing and more sites are also being scoped as possibilities. People who want to access rapid testing have a range of options to choose from. It’s quick and simple and gives people the reassurance that they are not unwittingly infecting other people as they go about their work.

“I’d strongly encourage those essential workers who are unable to work from home, cannot be tested in the workplace and are in regular contact with other people to make use of the new community testing sites.”

Cumbria Testing Sites – Locations and Opening Times

Kendal: Queen Katherine School, Appleby Rd, Kendal LA9 6PJ

• Thursdays 5.15pm to 7.30pm
• Saturdays 9.15am to 12.30pm

Milnthorpe: Dallam School, Haverflatts Lane, Milnthorpe, LA7 7DD

• Tuesdays 5.15pm to 7.30pm

Sedbergh: Settlebeck School, Long Lane, Sedbergh, LA10 5AL

• • Monday 5.15pm to 7.30pm

Barrow: Furness Academy Park Drive, Barrow-In-Furness, LA13 9BB

• Tuesday 5.15pm to 7.30pm
• Thursday 5.15pm to 7.30pm

Millom: Millom School, Salthouse Road, Millom, LA18 5AB

• Saturdays 9.15am to 12.30pm
• Wednesdays 5.15pm to 7.30pm

Carlisle: Trinity School Sports Hall, Strand Rd, Carlisle CA1 1JB

• Saturdays 9.15am to 12.30pm
• Wednesdays 5.15pm to 7.30pm

Dalton: Dowdales School, Dalton-In-Furness, LA15 8AH (Please Park at bottom and walk up drive)

• Monday 4.15pm to 6.30pm
• Thursday 4.15pm to 6.30pm

Penrith: Ullswater Community College, Wetheriggs Lane, Penrith, CA11 8NG

• Saturdays 9.15am to 12.30pm
• Wednesdays 5.15pm to 7.30pm

Whitehaven: St Benedicts School, Red Lonning, Whitehaven, CA28 8UG

• Wednesdays 5.15pm to 7.30pm

Workington: Workington Academy, Stainburn Rd, Workington, CA14 4EB

• Monday 5.15pm to 7.30pm
• Thursday 5.15pm to 7.30pm

Aspatria: Beacon Hill School, Market Square, Aspatria, Wigton CA7 3EZ

• Saturdays 9.15am to 12.30pm