A rapid Covid testing centre for essential staff who work with vulnerable people will open next month. The centre, based at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield (EISS), will initially be for Council staff, private providers and third sector staff who do not have symptoms.
4th Local Testing Centre announced for Upperthorpe area of Sheffield
Sheffield City Council is introducing a 4th Local Testing Centre in Upperthorpe to enable more people to get tested in our effort to combat the spread of the virus in our city.
The new local testing facility, which will be a 7 bay marquee style until the new winterised model of a container style unit is brought in, will help people across the city access more choices on the NHS national portal for local residents. We will continue to explore more ways in which we can support our communities to get tested.
The pedestrian access only unit will be at Shipton Street Car Park, Upperthorpe, Sheffield, S6 3EB based behind the 2nd Zest Centre building (opposite the main Zest Centre building featured).
Testing will be available on its Pilot opening days at the following times:
Tuesday 3rd November between 2pm-5pm
Wednesday 4th November 10am-5pm
From Thursday 5th November it will be fully operational opening from 8am-8pm available 7 days a week for the next 3 months.
People should only book a test if they have symptoms of Covid-19. Tests can be arranged by calling 119 or can be booked online here
Testing is a vital part in our fight against the spread of Covid-19 in our city and to help reduce the rate of people contracting the virus, we need your help. If you are showing symptoms, however mild, you need to get tested as soon as you can.
If you have any of the following symptoms, call 119 or book to arrange a test:
- A high temperature
- A new, continuous cough
- A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.
Our aim is to make it easier for people to access a testing facility so we can prevent further transmission of the virus in our communities. To enable this we are working in partnership with community organisations across the city to do further work to increase access to testing.
Director of Public Health at Sheffield City Council Greg Fell said:
“Since we have moved into Tier 3 restrictions, it is more important than ever that we enable everyone who needs to get a test in Sheffield the ability to do so and quickly. With the virus still circulating in our communities we need to be more careful. By careful we mean, continuing to wash your hands or use hand sanitiser, keep your distance and wearing a face covering if you are travelling on public transport or entering an indoor venue such as shops.
“Most importantly, if you are feeling poorly or think you have symptoms, no matter how mild, you must stay at home and contact NHS test and trace to arrange a test.
“Our message is simple, COVID-19 has not gone away and we need our communities’ support in stopping the spread and to help protect our loved ones.”
The Council’s focus throughout the pandemic has been to keep people safe, protect the most vulnerable and reopen the city as and when it has been safe to do so. This still remains the case and these continue to be at the forefront of all the decisions we make.
With this 4th Local Testing facility more testing options will now be available for people in the local area.
Together we can help keep our communities safe by getting tested if we have symptoms.
