News

A coronavirus testing facility is to open at the Freight House car park in Rochford, to increase Covid-19 testing in the District.

The site sits alongside the existing network of testing sites set up around the UK. Testing started at the new site in Rochford from the 29^{th of} July and is open 8am-8pm daily.

Anyone testing positive for the virus will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them track their contacts. This will help people to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission.

Rochford District Council Leader, Cllr Simon Wootton said: “We fully support the NHS efforts to deliver a comprehensive national testing programme in the fight against COVID-19.

“The Rochford District already plays host to two Mobile Testing Units and a Vaccination Centre operating from Council owned land and we are pleased to be playing a further part by making the Freight House car park available for as a Local Testing Site. The Mobile Testing Units can be redeployed at any time to meet surge testing needs elsewhere, but the Local Testing Site will remain in place to serve the residents of the area.

“It is important that people continue to follow national guidance if they develop symptoms of COVID-19 and access tests in their local area as quickly as possible and take the right action to recover or quickly get treatment.”