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New fast testing centre opens in Pitsea

15th December 2020
Posted by Johnny Jenkins

From today, a new fast testing centre opens in Pitsea for those who DO NOT have symptoms of Covid-19. 

The new Pitsea Testing Centre, situated at The Place Leisure Centre, 13 Northlands Pavement, Pitsea, SS13 3DU will offer tests for residents in Fryerns (SS14), Pitsea (SS13), Vange (SS16) and Wickford (SS11 and SS12)

This testing centre is the second of its kind in Essex, and will join The Towngate Theatre in Basildon as one of the first places in the county and the region to offer new and fast Lateral Flow Tests to the wider population. The tests are ONLY for people for who do not have symptoms and give results in around 30 minutes.

Anyone WITH symptoms should book a test via the NHS Test and Trace App, or at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

This additional centre has been established in response to the current infection rate in the borough of Basildon now reaching over 600 per 100,000.

Dr Mike Gogarty, Essex’s Director of Public Health and Wellbeing, said:

“Infection rates in Basildon continue to be among the highest in the country, and local NHS services are coming under strain as a result.

“We must ensure that the brilliant staff at Basildon Hospital can continue to work for everyone.

“This additional testing centre will allow us to test even more people in the areas where we continue to see high rates.

“Testing people who feel well will help identify the hidden cases in the community – people who may be unwittingly infecting others. If you test positive with one of the new fast tests, you will be asked to self-isolate, and take a further test to confirm the initial result.”

Tests are by appointment only, and anyone booking must live in one of the areas described above. Booking can be made by calling 0333 772 6144

Lines are open from 8am to 8pm, every day including Saturday and Sunday.

More details about testing can be found here www.essex.gov.uk/coronavirus