New Covid-19 test site coming to Dinnington

Residents in the area will be able to get tested for coronavirus faster and more easily at the new walk-through site.

It will be opening to the public tomorrow (Saturday) from 2pm to 5pm, housed at the Dinnington Resource Centre car park. The site will also accept people on Sunday from 10am to 5pm. 

From Monday, it will be available for appointments between 8am and 8pm throughout the week. 

All tests can be booked via https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling NHS 119 from tomorrow. 

Rotherham Council member for public health, Cllr David Roche, said the council has been working with the Department of Health and Social Care to make getting tested more readily available for those who may struggle to get into Rotherham town centre.

He added: "These residents, and others living in other areas of the borough, have not been forgotten about during the pandemic and we want to make sure that everyone in Rotherham has access to the vital services they need, from getting tested to receiving support from the Rotherham Heroes programme to getting financial support."

The chairman of the trustees for Dinnington Resource Centre, Jane Havenhand, said: "Dinnington Resource Centre trustees and management are delighted to be able to provide space for the new test site in the town as it will have a huge impact on getting people in the area tested and helping us to continue our fight against coronavirus."

The new seven-bay test site will be able to run 252 Covid-19 tests per day – amounting to more than 1,700 each week.

This latest test site will offer a more accessible location for residents in and around Dinnington and means they do not need to travel as far to the other test sites in the borough, including the Forge Island testing site in Rotherham town centre.

Following the national shortage of testing slots several weeks ago, the council said local testing sites are once again reporting good availability, however, those needing a test will need to book an appointment at their most convenient test site before going for their test.

Some parking is available near the site, however residents are encouraged to walk where possible.

Only those who have Covid-19 symptoms, including a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or loss of taste or smell, must get a test, even if their symptoms are mild.

Residents with symptoms, along with anyone they live with or anyone in their support bubble, must self-isolate until they receive their test result. It is also important that members of the public self-isolate while they are waiting to get their test.