Bristol residents urged to get COVID-19 test before community surge programme ends
Marksbury Road Library opens today offering another venue for Collect and Drop tests
Residents living or working in certain postcodes are being urged to get a COVID-19 test before the community surge testing programme ends this weekend (Sunday 21 February).
Over 33,500 tests have been completed since the programme launched on Sunday 7 February – in response to 11 cases of a mutated variant of the virus found in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
The surge testing will help health officials learn more about the change in the virus in the area.
It will also help reduce the spread of infection by finding asymptomatic cases and prompting people to self-isolate.
People should not take the test if they have coronavirus symptoms or have tested positive within the last 90 days.
In the Filwood ward streets in BS3 5 which are included in the surge testing are Novers Hill, Kingswear Road, Marksbury Road, Glyn Vale, Lynton Road, Torpoint Road and Wedmore Vale.
Health leaders have thanked residents who have taken part in the two week programme, and are encouraging those who are eligible, but have not yet been tested, to get a test before the end of the weekend.
Director of Public Health at Bristol City Council, Christina Gray, said: “We’re very grateful for citizens who have come forward, and for those who have collected tests for people unable to visit an MTU or a Collect and Drop site…
“Over the next few days, both local authorities will be expanding community outreach to further encourage uptake of tests in the specific postcodes, including pop up Collect and Drop sites.”
Where are community surge tests available?
In Bristol three mobile testing units (MTUs) have been set up, including at Imperial Retail Park in Hartcliffe and the Imperial Sports Ground in West Town Lane, Brislington.
There are now six libraries across the city offering a Collect and Drop service – with Marksbury Road opening today (17 February). Others in South Bristol are Wick Road Library in Brislington and Whitchurch Library.
Tests are available for people to pick up for themselves as well as for friends and family members unable to leave the house.
These need to be carried out at home, registered and then dropped back to the same library.
Help for disabled people
From today until Saturday, Can Do Bristol volunteers will be available to deliver testing kits from Collect and Drop sites to disabled people who are unable to get to a site to ensure they can still get tested.
If you live in one of the eligible postcodes for testing, please call the free We Are Bristol helpline on 0800 694 0184 to arrange a delivery and collection of a test between 10am and 4pm.
The Collect and Drop sites in Bristol libraries are open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.
Mobile testing units are open in Bristol Monday to Sunday from 9am – 6pm.
For more information about the community surge testing programme and a list of the postcodes eligible for testing visit the Bristol City Council website.
