New walk through Covid testing site opening in Hartlepool

A large white tent-like structure was built in the The Squircle in front of the Borough Hall on Wednesday and is due to open to the public on Friday, October 30.

It is said to be part of the Government's drive to increase testing across the country and is set to be in place for at least three months.

People must have an appointment and be displaying symptoms of coronavirus to be seen at the facility.

A Hartlepool Borough Council spokesperson said: “The Department of Health and Social Care is opening a walk-through Coronavirus testing site at the Headland Town Square on Friday as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to increase testing.

“Testing is available only for those with coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste.

“Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures and anyone attending an appointment will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the site safely.

“The site will operate on an appointment-only basis and has detailed standard operating procedures which have been signed off by Public Health England to ensure that procedures have health and safety at the forefront.

“We understand the site will be operational seven days a week between the hours of 8am and 8pm for a minimum of three months.”

A similar testing facility opened earlier this month at Grayfields car park in Jesmond Gardens.

Health Minister Lord Bethell previously said: “We continue to expand testing to make sure that everyone with symptoms can get a test, with our new walk-in sites making it even easier no matter where you live.”

A mobile drive-through site operated by the Department of Health and Social Care has also been running occasionally at the Hartlepool Waterfront (former Jackson’s Landing).

There were another 43 confirmed cases of the virus in Hartlepool in figures released on Wednesday, October 28.

The town’s Covid contact tracing success rate has fallen with just 62.7% of close contacts of people who tested positive being reached and told to self isolate.

Anyone with coronavirus symptoms should book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.

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