22.04.20
Council and NHS partnership opens coronavirus test centre
A partnership between Manchester City Council and the NHS has seen a new coronavirus testing facility open at the Etihad Campus in Manchester.
The drive-through testing centre, which opened Monday (Apr 20), is for frontline NHS staff, care workers, other key workers and their families who are showing potential symptoms of the virus.
The test, available for adults and children, is carried out through self-swabbing of the nose or throat with results delivered within a few days.
The facility has capacity for 100 tests a day, significantly boosting testing around Manchester and Trafford and building on an existing testing facility for health and social care workers based at Manchester Airport.
Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Adult Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Bev Craig, said: “This new testing facility for health and social care workers, other key workers and their families will ensure that those who are free of COVID-19 can continue to provide vital services and save lives, while also providing data that will help us understand the spread of the virus.
“Testing removes uncertainty for those who suspect that they may be infected and will be key to enabling staff who are well to carry on with the magnificent work they are doing, while those who test positive will know that they must self-isolate and focus on recovery.”
Further testing centres in the region are currently going through planning and developing stages. NHS and Public Health England guidance indicates that frontline staff are the priority for testing, including primary care workers, social workers and residential care and nursing home staff. As well as responding to outbreaks in high-risk community settings including hostels for homeless for other vulnerable people and care homes.