A POP-UP coronavirus test centre will set up near St Helens town centre this week following a spike in cases.

The mobile testing unit, which will operate by appointment only, will be available at Clifton Street Car Park from Wednesday to Friday, August 14.

It is understood public health chiefs have moved quickly to set up the test centre following a rise in cases over the past week.

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Last week the council said the weekly infection rate had dropped to 1.1 – the lowest in the North West – but urged people not to become complacent.

The following day, nine more cases were added to Public Health England’s figures, with another confirmed case added to the figures on Friday.

And over the weekend the number of recorded coronavirus cases in St Helens increased by 18.

To date, since the start of the outbreak in March, 1,238 people in St Helens have been confirmed as testing positive for COVID-19, although the PHE figures were not updated on Tuesday due to technical difficulties.

This means that between July 30 to August 5, the weekly infection rate in St Helens, per 100,000 population, increased to 11.7.

However, this does not include the last four days due to reporting delays, meaning there may be more cases that are yet to be included in those days.

In response to the rise, Sue Forster, director of public health for St Helens Borough Council, said: “We have seen an increase in our infection rate in St Helens borough.

“Although this only equates to relatively small numbers of positive tests we have seen a spike in the last seven days that has impacted our figures.

“As we have seen across the country cases can rise dramatically in a very short space of time and we want to make sure that we do not face similar measures that have had to be brought in elsewhere.

“Life may feel like it’s returning back to normal but we cannot just go back to how things used to be.

“That’s why it is important to limit the number of people you spend time with to reduce the risk of potentially spreading COVID-19 to more people as we are seeing a number of asymptomatic people testing positive.

“Whether it’s meeting in a park, restaurant, pub, bar or home it is important that we remember the key steps to help reduce our risks which is washing hands thoroughly for 20 seconds, keeping distance from anyone not from your household and wearing masks in enclosed spaces and on public transport.

“If you feel that social distancing can’t be followed please take the sensible decision to leave the area and find somewhere you feel comfortable and safe. If you are visiting a restaurant or bar make sure to also ask staff about how you can register your details for test and trace purposes.

“If you or anyone you know has any symptoms of a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or loss of taste or smell please make sure you isolate for 10 days and book a test. This is vital to help us reduce the risk of spread.”

If you have any of these symptoms, even very mildly: continuous cough, high temperature or a loss of or change in their normal sense of smell or taste – you should book a test and isolate for 10 days.

The mobile testing facility at Clifton Street Car Park is open to anyone who wants to get a test, whether you are experiencing symptoms or if you think you may have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive.

A time slot and the location of the mobile unit will be provided upon booking.

Instructions on how to take the test and how and when you will receive your results will be provided when taking the test.

The mobile testing unit will operate by appointment only and can accommodate cars or people on foot.

Anyone who attempts to turn up at the testing facility without an appointment will be turned away, without exception.

Ms Forster added: “We know that this situation is a difficult time for people.

“Through testing we can understand more about the scale of this situation and how the virus is behaving, which will help us to bring normal life back again.

“Mobile testing sites help us to prioritise, by adding additional capacity for a short time where it will have the most benefit.”

St Helens Star:

Cllr Anthony Burns, cabinet member for public health, leisure, libraries, arts and heritage, said: “This mobile testing unit is a good example of how partners across health and care are working together locally to respond to COVID-19.

“It is so important to be able to offer testing for the virus close to home for essential workers in the St Helens area who are doing so much for us all, helping them to continue to support our local response to coronavirus.

“By increasing testing locally, we hope to identify those most at risk from coronavirus and take the next steps to defeating the virus.”

You can apply for a test online by clicking here or by calling NHS 119.

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Essential workers, and members of their household can apply for priority testing through GOV.UK

If you do not have symptoms but are concerned you might have come in to contact with someone who has had a positive test it is recommended to use the online referral system.

Alternatively there is also testing available at Haydock Park Racecourse, which is also available to book through the same channels.