Got Covid-19 symptoms? Self-isolate and book a test

People with symptoms of coronavirus, no matter how mild, are reminded they should book a Covid-19 test as soon as possible.

Wolverhampton currently has five Covid-19 test centres, all of which people should attend by prior appointment. They include a drive-through site at Aldersley Leisure Village and four walk-through sites – at Showell Road, Faulkland Street car park and Blakenhall Community Resource Centre in Wolverhampton and at Mountford Lane car park in Bilston.

People who have symptoms of Covid-19, which include a fever, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to their sense of taste and smell, should self-isolate and book an appointment by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or calling 119 as soon as possible. 

Wolverhampton currently has capacity to carry out up to around 800 tests per day, but due to the current national issues with testing availability, people may need to keep trying regularly in order to book an appointment. 

People should only get tested if they have coronavirus symptoms or have been asked to get tested. This will help ensure people who need a test are more likely to be able to get one. Anyone who has symptoms but is unable to book a test should stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days from the point at which they first developed symptoms and continue to try and get a test. 

Latest data shows there were 70.21 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 residents in Wolverhampton in the seven days to 27 September 2020, compared to 62.23 in the week to 20 September.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Testing is a crucial weapon in our battle to stop the spread of Covid-19 and the message is clear; if you have symptoms, no matter how mild they may be, you must immediately self-isolate and get tested. 

"If you have symptoms but are unable to access a test then please be persistent with attempting to book a test as new appointments are released periodically throughout the day. Please also remember to stay at home and isolate for 10 days. This will help you, your family and community to remain safe and prevent any potential spread. If your symptoms worsen during this period, please call NHS 111 for advice.

"I would also encourage everyone with a compatible smartphone to download the new NHS Covid-19 app, which supports the NHS's wider Test and Trace programme, via www.covid19.nhs.uk.”

People are reminded that they should wear a face covering when attending walk-through centres, only removing these while the test is taking place. Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and will be asked to share information about people that they have been in close contact with recently.

Details of all of Wolverhampton’s test centres can be found at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus-testing. For more information about the NHS Covid-19 app, including the answers to frequently asked questions, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/covid-19-mobile-app.

The latest information and guidance around coronavirus is available at www.gov.uk/coronavirus and on the council’s own coronavirus pages at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus. For details of the local Covid-19 measures which came into force last week, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/restrictions.