Fylde residents feeling unwell urged to get a Covid test

The three main symptoms of Covid are a high temperature, a persistent cough or a loss of smell or taste.

But there are other symptoms that have been reported by people who have tested positive, such as a persistent headache and diarrhoea.

Up to a third of people have no symptoms at all, but are still infectious.

Lancashire's three directors of public health are calling on anyone who is worried they may have coronavirus to book a test through the NHS website.

They are being backed by the Lancashire Resilience Forum, which brings together public bodies including Lancashire's councils, police, fire, and health to lead the county's response to the emergency.

Coun Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “In recent weeks it has been all too apparent that some people aren’t displaying the classic COVID symptoms.

“Many people have tested positive with symptoms such as headache, aches and pains, and conjunctivitis, to name but a few, so it is really important that people get tested if they feel unwell.

“By identifying cases we can continue to drive down the spread of this virus while the vaccine is being rolled out.

“Our teams here have worked incredibly hard to ensure that testing sites are in convenient locations across the borough and, as well as our permanent site at Fairhaven Road car park in St Annes, we have also organised mobile testing units in Kirkham and Freckleton on selected dates throughout February.

“Together we can reduce the spread of this awful virus and look forward to more positive times ahead.”

Residents can book a free test by calling 119, book online at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or through the government's NHS Covid app: www.nhs.uk/apps-library/nhs-covid-19

When booking a test, if the person doesn’t have the classic symptoms, they should simply say they don't.

A few clicks later on the website, they can then choose the option which says: "My local council or health protection team has asked me (or someone I live with) to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms".

Meanwhile, targeted rapid testing for people without symptoms, aimed at key workers, is being launched in Fylde from Monday, February 8.

The key worker list includes supermarket staff, taxi drivers, teachers, nursery nurses, emergency services staff and Fylde Council says the facilities are aimed at providing peace of mind that they aren’t asymptomatically spreading Covid-19.

The centres will be at AFC Fylde Education Centre, Mill Farm, Wesham on Mondays; St Cuthbert’s Church Hall, Church Road, Lytham on Wednesdays; United Reformed Church Hall, St George’s Road on Thursday and Kirkham Community Centre, Mill Street, Kirkham on Fridays. All are open 9.30am to 4pm.

Swabbing and processing takes place onsite and the results are available within the hour.

No appointment is necessary and it is recommended attendees do not eat or drink 20 minutes prior to the test.

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