Where is Wellingborough's new Covid testing centre going to be?

Wellingborough residents will be able to access a new rapid centrally located Covid-19 testing centre to help in the detection of the virus.

Redwell Leisure Centre had been used as a drop-in facility but Public Health Northamptonshire will relocate the site to Swanspool.

Case rates have been rising in the town with Queensway's case rates 304, over the past 28 days per 100,000 population, now the highest in the county.

Public Health officials have urged ‘caution’ and ‘common sense’ when further restrictions lift on Monday (May 17) as Northamptonshire’s case rates show a rising trend and the Indian variant is now circulating in the county.

Lucy Wightman Joint Director of Public Health - North and West Northamptonshire Councils said: “The centre in Swanspool should be opening mid next week. It's a more central location and increases accessibility for people."

"Despite the excitement of easing of restrictions on Monday we need to be calm, cautious, show common sense and recognise that the virus is still circulating and posing a risk.

"If you are meeting friends and family from Monday, May 17, you can make a personal choice on whether to keep your distance from them, but you should still be vigilant. We must all remember that close contact, including hugging, increases the risk of spreading Covid-19. There are actions you can take to reduce the chance of spreading Covid-19 and help keep you and your loved ones safe.

“When people are outside and physically distanced from each other, the particles containing the virus that causes Covid-19 are blown away which makes it less likely that they will be breathed in by another person. If you do meet inside, make sure the space is well ventilated. Open windows and doors or take other action to let in plenty of fresh air. Bringing fresh air into a room and removing older stale air that may contain virus particles reduces the chance of spreading Covid-19. The more fresh air that is brought inside, the quicker any airborne virus will be removed from the room.

“Minimise how many people you’re in close contact with, and for how long. The more people you are in close contact with - particularly if they are from different households - the higher the chances of you catching or passing on Covid-19. Longer periods of close contact increase the risk of transmission and remember that even brief contact can spread Covid-19. There is no such thing as a fully safe period of close contact. Wash hands and clean surfaces regularly to remove virus particles.

“Last but by no means least, accept the vaccine when you are offered it and encourage others to as well. Vaccines reduce the chance of passing on the virus and of you developing serious illness yourself. Consider whether you and your loved ones are vaccinated and whether there has been time for the vaccine to take effect before being in close contact – and that a residual risk will always remain. Remember that some people are more vulnerable than others to being seriously ill from Covid-19.

“With the easing of restrictions, there will be a greater opportunity of spreading the virus if you do have it, so please ensure you’re not spreading it unwittingly - keep testing twice a week and don’t be complacent. Put everyone’s mind at rest and take that test.”

An analysis of the county’s recent coronavirus cases and rates over the period May 3 to May 9 show that Corby’s rate is currently the highest of the seven district and borough areas and has further increased in the last week. Wellingborough’s rate shows a close second.

Northamptonshire’s all age infection rate per 100,000 population as a weekly average for the week up to May 5 is 30.9, which represents a slight rise when compared to the previous week and is significantly higher than the national average (21.4) - Wellingborough shows 42.7, Corby shows 45.7, and Kettering 32.4.