Southport is set to be one of the second pilot sites for mass coronavirus testing for anyone and everyone, regardless of symptoms.
Mass coronavirus testing for people without symptoms is to be rolled out in Southport and Sefton in the coming weeks.
Cllr Maher said: “I am delighted that people across our Borough are going to benefit from the new Lateral flow tests, have a turnaround time of under an hour.
“Although we have been limited with the number of tests and will only be able to test 10% of the population it’s another way of identifying people who have coronavirus before they show symptoms. This will help reduce the number of people they might spread it to and in turn the overall the transmission rate.
“Sefton residents and people who work here who don’t have coronavirus symptoms will be able to go and get a test. They will quickly receive a result, which hopefully confirms they don’t have COVID-19 and are not infectious.
“Those people who don’t have symptoms but who receive a positive test result, meaning they are infectious and could prevent a risk to any of their family, friends and colleagues who may be vulnerable, will then be able to isolate for the required period.
“By taking the tests regularly, people across the Borough will be able to monitor their condition, which will help to reduce infections rates and help pave the way back to some kind of normality in the future.
Lateral flow tests have been available since Friday for people who live or are employed in Liverpool, including Sefton residents who work in the city.
Cllr Maher added: “We have already secured significant walk-through and drive-through testing facilities in Sefton.
“Over the coming days we will learn lessons from Liverpool and decide how we deploy the tests.”
“In the meantime, I would urge anyone who feels any of the symptoms of coronavirus coming on, whether that’s a high temperature, a new cough or they lose their sense of smell or taste, it’s time to get a test straight away.
“The sooner people do this, the quicker they can find out if they are COVID positive and the more quickly they can start taking measures to isolate and protect the people around them.”
To make an appointment for a test people can call 119 or visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.
Sefton has four walk-through test centres for people who are showing coronavirus symptoms, at Bootle Town Hall, Crosby Library, Netherton Activity Centre and Southport Town Hall. And now, extra Mobile Coronavirus Testing Units are being deployed across the Borough.
Mobile Units are on site at Southport Esplanade Coach Park and in Litherland Sports Park and Aintree Race Course until Friday 20th November, apart from on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th, and also at Maghull Town hall on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th November.
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