Temporary coronavirus testing unit set up in Houghton - this is when you can book a test

Swab tests at the Brinkburn Crescent car park, close to Houghton Primary Care Centre, will be carried out Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, September 8-10 from 11am to 3pm.

Public Health England figures for the seven days to Friday, September 4 showed that there were 106 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Sunderland, the equivalent of 38.5 per 100,000, compared to 22 people previous week.

This is a rise of 85 cases, or 386%.

Official Government advice on testing said: “Only get a test if you have coronavirus symptoms or have been asked to get tested. This will help make sure people who need a test can get one.

“If you have coronavirus symptoms, you need to get a test done as soon as possible. You need to get the test done in the first five days of having symptoms.”

For more information, visit www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Sunderland Echo website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here.

Thank you.