Military-run coronavirus testing unit in Oldham town centre from Sunday

Date published: 29 May 2020


A Mobile Testing Unit staffed by the army will be visiting Oldham to provide testing for COVID-19 for local residents (adults and children over five years) and keyworkers.

The Unit will be at the Old Leisure Centre Car Park, on Rock Street, in the town centre for three days, from Sunday (May 31) to Tuesday (June 2).

Testing will be by pre-booked appointment only and people can arrive either by car or by foot and are advised to follow the national social distancing guidelines.

These tests will only be able to tell people if they have coronavirus now.

They will not be able to tell if they have been infected in the past.

The common symptoms of coronavirus are:

• a high temperature

• a new, continuous cough, or

• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

Residents wishing to book at test will be able to make an appointment through the national booking website (the NHS testing site) from tomorrow evening (Saturday). 

Employers of keyworkers can also book tests for their staff at this site, by referring staff through the national employer booking portal.

Employers need to register via e-mail (portalservicedesk@dhsc.gov.uk) at the Coronavirus testing guidance site to be able to refer their employees.

If you are not able to access the testing website, you can book a test by telephone by calling 119.

Appointment availability is updated daily, therefore if the Oldham site is not listed on the booking portal it means that all the available testing appointments for the day have been filled.

Home testing kits can also be requested via the same website and telephone number.

Everyone who develops symptoms of coronavirus, and members of their household, should self-isolate at home and request a test for COVID-19 through the website or by calling 119.

Everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will need to self-isolate at home for seven days, and their close contacts will need to self-isolate at home for 14 days.

Oldham councillor Dr Zahid Chauhan, Cabinet lead for health and social care, said: “I’d like to thank our Covid-19 response team for securing the mobile testing unit for Oldham.

"Here in Oldham, we have been leading the way both regionally and nationally in testing our key workers, which includes our care homes staff and residents.

"We were also one of the first areas to test in care homes and to set up PPE hubs.

“This mobile unit is also available for residents and their children over five who have concerns that they may have coronavirus and is part of our developing plan to help people increase their confidence as they begin to plan to go back to work and school.

“At your appointment time you can attend the testing unit by car or on foot.

"Please do not visit the unit if you do not have an appointment, as testing will only be available to those who have pre-booked an appointment, and we ask people to observe the national social distancing guidelines.”


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