We spoke to people taking part in Sunderland's 'no symptom' coronavirus testing trial as scheme is fully booked within a day

Sunderland’s first symptom-free coronavirus testing centre is now fully booked as residents look for ‘peace of mind’ over covid.
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On Friday a mobile testing team started working from Washington Millennium Centre using fast turnaround tests which deliver results within hours. Spaces for the tests, which are run by Sunderland City Council in partnership with the Department for Health and Social Care and Public Health England, are now all fully booked.Health chiefs have emphasised a negative result is not a free pass to ignore the rules – you could still go on to develop Covid-19 and should continue to follow the measures in place.

Gary and Susan Cook, both 56, had traveled from Newbottle: "We are going to my sister's house, so this is just for peace of mind," said Gary.

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"It is going to be part of life for a while - if it helps, it helps."

Social distancing in the queueSocial distancing in the queue
Social distancing in the queue
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Susan found the test uncomfortable but was pleased with how quick it was: "It was not pleasant but you have got to do it," she said.

"It took longer to register than it did to do the test. It is quite quick once you have registered.”

Alan and Ann McAuliffe had come from Ryhope to do their bit: "We have not had any symptoms - it is just to get the numbers up, really," said Alan, 58.

Testing has begun at Washington's Millennium CentreTesting has begun at Washington's Millennium Centre
Testing has begun at Washington's Millennium Centre
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"We are in no doubt we will get a negative result because we have been semi-isolating for so long."

Ann, 56, was impressed with how quick and easy the test was: "It was pretty straightforward. They just swab your nose and throat," she said.

"I didn't like it when they touched my tonsils but it was all right," added Alan.

Tommy and Linda Wright, from Roker, were taking the test for piece of mind: “Neither of us has had any symptoms,” said Tommy, 79.

Susan Cook with her testing registrationSusan Cook with her testing registration
Susan Cook with her testing registration
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The couple have been taking sensible precautions since the pandemic began: “We have been isolating a lot – I have been doing my own shopping but we’re not going out much,” said 77-year-old Linda.

They have been impressed with the speed of the results: “Twenty-four hours is very good,” said Linda.

Thirty-seven-year-old Steven Morgan, from Concord, said the service had been ‘spot-on’.

"They should have been doing this since it all kicked off," he said.

We spoke to some of the first people to take a Covid-19 test at Washington's Millennium Centre.We spoke to some of the first people to take a Covid-19 test at Washington's Millennium Centre.
We spoke to some of the first people to take a Covid-19 test at Washington's Millennium Centre.
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Gerry Taylor, Executive Director of Public Health and Integrated Commissioning said it was good news that so many people have booked to take part in the trial.

She said: “It’s really good news that so many people have taken the time to book up for the symptom free tests that we are offering as part of this trial. All currently available appointments have been booked and we’d like to thank all those who have come forward to get a test to help us drive down infection rates in the city.

“It is really important to remember however, that if your test is negative, you could still go on to develop Covid-19. So, it is essential that you continue to follow the rules around social distancing – hands, space, face and that you continue to protect others. We are currently in tier three so it’s really important that we all follow this guidance to reduce the spread.”

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