Around 400 people attend Wrexham testing sessions
Around 400 people were tested for COVID-19 on the first day of operations from two mobile testing centres in Wrexham.
Almost 200 people attended each of the testing centres, set up in Hightown and Caia Park over the next few days. Attendees included people who have experienced mild symptoms of COVID-19.
Dr Chris Johnson, Consultant in Health Protection for Public Health Wales, and Chair of the multi-agency Outbreak Control Team, said:
“We are very grateful to people in Wrexham for their quick and whole-hearted response to this opportunity to be tested.
“Please come forward for testing, even if your symptoms are mild. The more people with symptoms who come forward, the more cases we will find. More people can then be referred into the Test, Trace, Protect programme, allowing contact tracers to take action to put a stop to the spread of Coronavirus in the area.
“We are seeing a larger number of Coronavirus cases in Wrexham than in other parts of Wales. Although we haven’t received the results from these testing sessions yet, we are reassured that there is no evidence of a rapidly escalating situation.”
Lisa Bradford, Quality Support Nurse for Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, said: “We had around 400 people take advantage of the drop-in testing available in the Wrexham Community yesterday. Attendees were split evenly between the two mobile testing centres.
“This includes people who have been experiencing symptoms and a number who hadn’t, but were still worried that they may have COVID-19.
“We’re really encouraged with the turnout and have already had a lot of people turning up this morning.
“I’d urge anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 to take advantage of the opportunity to get tested and help prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 in the Wrexham area.”
Symptoms to look out for include a new continuous cough, high temperature, and a lost or change in your normal sense of taste or smell.
The mobile testing centres are at Caia Park Health Centre on Prince Charles Road, and at Hightown Community Resource Centre, Fusilier Way, off Bryn Y Cabanau Road, from Wednesday, July 29.
Anybody who wants a test is invited to turn up between 9am and 6pm.
The work is being co-ordinated by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Public Health Wales, Wrexham Council, and other partners, with support from local voluntary sector organisation AVOW and community groups.
Just like in other parts of the country, the army have helped to set up the mobile testing units, and we’ve been working in partnership to make sure these have been as successful as possible.