St Joseph’s rapid test centre closes

The rapid Covid-19 test centre at St Joseph's Church has now closed to enable the church to reopen the space for community use as soon as it is able to do so.

However, people without symptoms of Covid-19 can continue to get a free rapid test at one of Wolverhampton’s four other test centres or by using home test kits.

John Denley, Wolverhampton's Director of Public Health, said: "We would like to place on record our thanks to Father Craig Fullard and the St. Newman Cluster for enabling St Joseph's Church to play a key role in our city's fight against Covid-19.”

Fr Fullard said: “It has been great that we in the St. Newman Cluster, alongside other faith communities, have been able to support our local area during the pandemic. 

“We have also been able, through running the test centre, to raise £8,000 for Compton Care, which we know is so close to many people’s hearts. Whilst we may now be closed, we know how important it is to still get regular testing and we look forward to all playing our continued part in that.”

John added: "One in three people with Covid-19 do not have any symptoms but could be infectious. Making rapid testing part of your regular routine will help stop the spread of Covid-19 and keep this deadly virus under control.

“Although the test centre at St Joseph's has now closed, there are four other rapid test centres in Wolverhampton, several businesses are offering routine testing to their staff on site and people can also get tested from the comfort of home. I would urge everyone, please, get yourself tested on a regular basis.”

Free rapid testing for people without symptoms of Covid-19 is available at:

• The Civic Centre, St Peter's Square, Monday-Friday, 8am-7pm and Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm
• The Jamia Masjid Bilal, Newhampton Road West, 10am-7pm daily
• Pendeford Library, Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm
• The Hub at Ashmore Park, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9am-6pm and Saturday, 10am-6pm

Meanwhile people can collect free Covid-19 home rapid test kits from:

• The Civic Centre, St Peter's Square, Monday-Friday, 8am-7pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm
• Pendeford Library, Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm
• The Hub at Ashmore Park, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9am-6pm, and Saturday, 10am-6pm
• PCR test centres at Showell Road, Blakenhall Resource Centre, Whitmore Reans Library, Faulkland Street car park, and Mountford Lane car park, Bilston between 2.30pm and 8pm daily
• The mobile Covid-19 test unit, which is currently at West Park, 9am-7pm daily
• Bilston Market, 8.30am-2.30pm Monday, Thursday and Friday and 8.30am-4pm Saturday
• Wolverhampton Market, 8.30am-2.30pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and 8.30am-4pm Saturday
• WV Active Aldersley, WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams, WV Active Central and Wolverhampton Swimming and Fitness Centre during usual opening hours
• Local pharmacies offering the Pharmacy Collect service.

More information on rapid testing, including advice about how to take the test at home, is available at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus-testing.

John added: "Please remember that if you test at home you must record your result, even if it is negative, because this is key to tracking the prevalence of the virus and, ultimately, helping us get back to normality.”

Please note, rapid testing is not available for people with coronavirus symptoms. Anyone with symptoms, including high temperature, a new or continuous cough, or a loss or taste or smell, should book a PCR test at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.