As people increasingly choose to access testing in other ways, 11 out of 12 community Lateral Flow Testing (LFT) sites across Cumbria are set to close from Thursday 15 July. Demand for the LFT sites has fallen as people are increasingly choosing to order tests online or pick up testing kits from their local pharmacy or PCR test site. Many people are also offered testing at work. All PCR testing sites will remain open as normal and will continue to act as LFT collection points. The 11 LFT testing sites set to close are where demand for community testing has fallen the most. These include Ambleside, Aspatria, Barrow, Carlisle, Dalton, Kendal, Milnthorpe, Penrith, Sedbergh, Whitehaven and Workington. However, the LFT site at Millom will remain open as usual (Saturdays: 9.15am - 11.30am and Wednesdays: 5.15pm - 7.45pm) as demand there remains high. Approximately 46,000 LFT tests are still being taken each week in Cumbria, despite the fall in the number of people visiting lateral flow testing sites. Taking a rapid result lateral flow test twice a week is still part of the Government’s COVID-19 strategy and testing kits will remain readily available throughout Cumbria - especially in parts where transmission is higher or where community groups may not be able to easily access LFT testing. Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s kept these testing sites running for this long. It’s an incredible achievement and they’ve played a crucial role in helping Cumbria during this pandemic. “It’s a poitive sign that people are beginning to access testing in other ways and it’s the right time to close operations at these LFT sites. It also means these resources can be used elsewhere - where they are most needed. “To clarify, this is just a pause. If demand increases and community testing is needed once more, we’re ready and prepared to reopen these sites whenever necessary to keep the people of Cumbria safe. “We will also continue to support local businesses and organisations with testing where employees are at high risk due to the nature of their jobs. “As cases continue to rise, not just in Cumbria but nationwide, I still strongly recommend people take rapid result lateral flow tests at least twice a week - even after July 19, when many restrictions are set to be lifted.” If you have symptoms of coronavirus, please do not attend the test site at Millom. Book a PCR test online or call 119. To order Lateral Flow home testing kits directly to your home, visit the government website. One box containing 7 tests will be provided per order. If you’re unsure where your local pharmacy or LFT collection point is, you can find out by using the search option on the NHS website. |