Covid testing trial to start in Sunderland - Here's how you can book a test even if you don't have symptoms

Covid-19 testing for people who don’t have symptoms is set to be trialled on Wearside in an effort identify people who are carrying the illness without realising it.
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Starting this week, a mobile testing team will begin working from the Washington Millennium Centre in Concord to provide tests to local people – with the team set to work from different locations across the city where required.

It is hoped that the mass testing will identify those who do not have symptoms of Covid-19 for the purposes of helping to reduce the transmission of the virus.

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The trial is being run by Sunderland City Council in partnership with the Department for Health and Social Care and Public Health England as part of the Director of Public Health led testing programme.

Mass symptom free Covid-19 testing will begin in Sunderland this week.Mass symptom free Covid-19 testing will begin in Sunderland this week.
Mass symptom free Covid-19 testing will begin in Sunderland this week.
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Sunderland’s Executive Director of Public Health and Integrated Commissioning, Gerry Taylor, is encouraging residents to get a test and help protect those who they care about.

Ms Taylor said: "As many as one in three people who have Covid have no symptoms and will be spreading it without realising it.

“This mobile testing team will help us to identify and isolate people with Covid who wouldn’t otherwise be identified as they don’t have symptoms.

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"So we're asking local people to come forward to get tested to help protect those they care about.”

The announcement comes after Sunderland City Council Leader, Councillor Graeme Miller criticised the government’s response on Wearside and accused the Conservatives of favouring the south of England after it was announced mass testing would take place in schools in the South East.

As the asymptomatic testing was announced Cllr Miller, said: "This is all about protecting those we care for so I would urge everyone who has the chance to go for one of these tests to take advantage of the opportunity to help keep their families and their community safe.”

The tests are self-administered and people will be able to expect their results back within hours.

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Only a limited number of slots are available for those wanting to be testing and they must be booked by clicking here.

The faster turnaround tests are only for people not showing symptoms of Covid-19 – if you do have symptoms then you need to self-isolate immediately and book at test at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.

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