People are urged to return their COVID-19 test kits to Collect and Drop Sites, as services report over 10,000 tests have not yet been returned through the community surge testing programme in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
Over 20,000 COVID-19 tests have been completed in Bristol and South Gloucestershire since the programme launched on Sunday 7 February and yesterday (Thursday 11 February).
Of the total, around 10,800 tests were carried out at mobile testing units (MTUs) and around 9,200 were returned to Collect and Drop sites in Bristol and South Gloucestershire during this period.
However, over 10,000 home tests are yet to be returned to Collect and Drop sites, revealing only half of people who have collected a home test have returned their test to a site.
People are encouraged to register and return their test as soon as possible. Residents are also being asked to collect a home test for people they know who cannot access an MTU or Collect and Drop site, particularly older people, to ensure as many eligible people as possible are tested during the two week programme.
Christina Gray, Director of Public Health at Bristol City Council, said: “The uptake of testing so far is very positive but we urgently need people to register their tests and return them to the Collect and Drop site. This is the only way we can ensure we’re getting as much data as possible to learn about the virus and look to reduce local infection rates. We are looking to provide tests in areas where uptake is low, or access is more difficult, which we hope to roll out next week. Having your tests back will help us understand where we need to focus.”
Sara Blackmore, Director of Public Health at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “If someone you know cannot access a site and you can, please collect a home test for them and return it as soon as possible. As national lockdown restrictions remain in place, we ask you please do this safely and do not mix with other households, unless they are in your support bubble.”
People living or working in one of the 24 specific postcodes, aged over 16 and without symptoms of COVID-19 have been invited to get a test as part of an investigation being undertaken by local authorities, Public Health England and the Department for Health and Social Care.
This is to establish the prevalence of a change in the variant of the COVID-19 virus first found in Kent, which has been located in parts of Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
As of today (Friday 12 February) six MTUs have been set up across the areas. For people who can’t get to an MTU, home test kits are available from five Collect and Drop sites in Bristol, and six sites in South Gloucestershire. An additional Collect and Drop site will open in Pucklechurch Community Centre, BS16 9RH tomorrow (Saturday 12 February). This will be open on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and then Saturday and Sunday next weekend.
Currently, all MTU sites are open Monday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm at:
- Bristol and Bath Science Park, Dirac Crescent, Emersons Green, BS16 7FR
- Bristol City Council Testing Centre, 17-18 Wellington Road, BS2 9DA
- Imperial Retail Park, Hartcliffe Way, BS13 7TJ
- Shaftsbury Park, Frenchay Park Road, BS16 1LG
- The Imperial Sports Ground, West Town Lane, BS14 9EA
- Yate Common, Westerleigh Road, BS37 8RZ
Currently, Collect and Drop sites in Bristol are open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, at:
- Fishponds Library, Robinson House, Hockey’s Lane, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 3HL
- Henleaze Library, 30 Northumbria Drive, Henleaze, Bristol, BS9 4HP
- Junction 3 Library, 138b Lower Ashley Road, Easton, Bristol, BS5 0FJ
- Whitchurch Library, 7 Oatlands Ave, Bristol, BS14 0SX
- Wick Road Library, Wick Road, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 4HE
Collect and Drop sites in South Gloucestershire are open Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm, at:
- Emersons Green Library, Emersons Way, Emersons Green, BS16 7AP
- Downend Library, Buckingham Gardens, Downend, BS16 5TW
- Hambrook Cricket Club, Moorend Road, Hambrook Winterbourne, BS16 1SJ
- Shireway Community Centre, Shire Way, Yate, BS37 8YS
- Staple Hill Library, Broad Street, Staple Hill, BS16 5LS
- Westerleigh Village Hall, Shorthill Road, BS37 8QL
- Pucklechurch Community Centre, Abson Road, BS16 9RH (open Saturday 13 February, Sunday 14 February, Monday 15 February, Tuesday 16 February, Saturday 20 February and Sunday 21 February)
For more information about the community surge testing programme and a list of the postcodes eligible for testing please visit the Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council websites.
