Where Sunderland Covid testing sites have been set up as health bosses say they are meeting demand

Temporary test sites to carry out Covid-19 checks are up and running in Sunderland – as health bosses say they are meeting the increased demand from patients.
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Local sites will run at Azure Court in Doxford International Business Park today, Saturday, September 12, and tomorrow, Sunday, September 13.

Another set up in Brickburn Crescent, in the car park outside Houghton Sports Centre – which remains closed after the easing of the lockdown – will continue to run until Tuesday, September 22.

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The town has been identified as a hotspot for cases, with 61 confirmed positive tests already linked to the charity football match held at Burnside Working Men’s Club in Fence Houses last month – 33 of those were added to the total by Sunderland City Council and Durham County Council yesterday, Friday, September 11.

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The test sites are operated by a national team and anyone who needs a check must register online or by calling 119.

Anyone who thinks they might have the virus have been told they must isolate for 10 days from the start of symptoms and anyone not showing them, but living with someone with the warning signs, are told to isolate for 14 days.

People across the UK have raised concerns about not being able to find a facility close to home, with issues also found as they try to order home testing kits.

The Government has set up temporary testing sites across the country. Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images.The Government has set up temporary testing sites across the country. Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images.
The Government has set up temporary testing sites across the country. Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images.
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A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “NHS Test and Trace is working, our capacity is the highest it has ever been and our laboratories are processing more than a million tests a week.

“We are seeing a significant demand for tests but if you have symptoms we urge you to get tested.

"New booking slots and home testing kits are made available daily and you can help protect yourself if you wash your hands, cover your face and make space.

“We are targeting testing capacity at the areas that need it most, including those where there is an outbreak, as well as prioritising at-risk groups and we recently announced new laboratory facilities and new technology to process results even faster.”

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The number of sites across the country will be increased to 500 by the end of October, with 19 added last week and 17 more due in the next week.

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