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Rapid COVID-19 testing centre for people without symptoms comes to Newtown during June

Updated 18 June 2021

Walk-in rapid testing service for people without COVID-19 symptoms is available in Newtown from 7 June to 4 July.

  • Where: Park Street Day Centre, Park Street, Newtown SY16 1EG (opposite the medical centre and Lloyds Pharmacy)
  • When: 10am to 6pm, every day from 7 June to 4 July
  • What: Free walk-in rapid testing for people without COVID-19 symptoms
  • Who: Anyone living, working and studying in the Newtown area can drop in to the Park Street Day Centre in Newtown between 10am and 6pm, seven days a week for a free test.

Why?

This pilot programme will help Powys Teaching Health Board and Powys County Council to understand more about the spread of coronavirus in the county, and to prevent future outbreaks. 

We know that one in three people can have coronavirus without displaying the classic symptoms of fever (high temperature), new continuous cough and loss of or change to sense of smell or taste. So, this programme will help us gather a very comprehensive picture of coronavirus in the Newtown area. The information we gather will help us to Keep Powys Safe.

Coronavirus cases in Powys are rising against, and the Delta variant is now the dominant strain in Wales. Testing people without symptoms (asymptomatic testing) is a useful tool to identify any new variants and help us stop them in their tracks.”

The asymptomatic testing centre uses Lateral Flow Devices to check for the presence of coronavirus. Anyone who tests positive use the Lateral Flow Device will be referred to the town's testing centre for a PCR test.

As well as helping us to understand more about the spread of coronavirus in Powys, this will be a vital opportunity for us to trial this type of mass testing centre operate in a rural setting. Testing will continue to be vital in preventing future waves of coronavirus, and in preventing further pandemics. So, our experience of running an asymptomatic testing centre in Newtown will also play a vital role in our preparedness for the future. It will mean that we have a tried and tested model of community testing that we can put in place quickly if we face outbreaks in future.”

We are encouraging everyone to come along and take the test. Our centre is open seven days a week from 10am to 6pm at the Park Street Day Centre until 4 July. You can drop in any time between 10am and 6pm.

All of Wales is at alert level 2, and it remains vital for all of us to continue to follow the latest guidance to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. This includes following social distancing rules and wearing a face covering.

The developments of the centre is a joint project between Powys Teaching Health Board, Powys County Council, Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust and Welsh Government.

This service is for people who do not have COVID-19 symptoms.

People with symptoms should continue to book a test at our testing centres across Powys or request a test by post by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or calling 119 (7am to 11pm). People with hearing or speech difficulties can call 18001 119.

It is open to all ages, but people under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

What to do if you have a positive lateral flow test result

  • If you get a positive lateral flow test you must self-isolate immediately for 10 days and take a PCR test at a test centre within 24 hours. You can book a test You can book a test by calling our testing hub on 01874 612228 Mon-Fri 08:30 – 16:30, Sat-Sun 10:00-15:00.
  • If your PCR test is negative and taken within 24 hours of your lateral flow test, you can leave self-isolation.
  • If your PCR test was negative but was taken more than 24 hours after your lateral flow test you and your contacts must remain in self-isolation for the full 10 days from the date of the original lateral flow test.
  • If your PCR test is positive and taken within 24 hours of your lateral flow test, you must stay in self-isolation for 10 days from the original lateral flow test result.
  • If you don’t take a PCR test within 24 hours you must self-isolate for 10 days.

More information about Lateral Flow testing in Wales is available from the Welsh Government website at Lateral flow testing for people without symptoms | GOV.WALES

More information about Coronavirus Testing in Powys is available from the Powys Teaching Health Board website at https://pthb.nhs.wales/find/ttp