The boss of public health at Liverpool council has described the last three days of mass Covid-19 testing in Liverpool as "a game-changing moment for our city".
Thousands of people have attended the designated centres in the city since Friday as Liverpool pilots the first-of-its-kind coronavirus scheme, which could be rolled out to more cities in the UK if deemed a success here.
Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health, said the project had already provided "a huge amount of learning" and data was now being studied to establish how worthwhile the programme has been so far.
New testing sites are opening from today at Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium and Merseyside Caribbean Centre on Amberley Street in Toxteth.
In a statement, Mr Ashton said: "A huge thank you to everyone who turned out for the mass testing in the first three day, doing it for their families and our city.
“This has never been tried before in the UK and it could be a game-changing moment for our city.
“We very much appreciate people wanting to be involved and would like to thank them for their enthusiasm, and their patience and understanding if they encountered any issues.
“There has been a huge amount of learning so far. Close and careful analysis of what we have found so far is under way, and we will have more to say on this in the next day or so.
“If you haven’t had a test yet, please book one at gov.uk/testliverpool or by calling 119.”
The tests are not compulsory and nobody is being forced to attend a testing centre, Town Hall bosses have stressed.
But officials are continually stressing how testing asymptomatic people for the virus is vital to stop the virus from spreading, sometimes unknown, throughout the city.
Positive results from tests will be collected by NHS Test and Trace and anyone who tests positive, using either a lateral flow test or an existing swab test, must self-isolate along with their household immediately for at least 10 days.
Public opinion about the tests has been largely positive, evidenced by the long lines outside testing centres and the thousands who ave already attended.
Ian Byrne, MP for West Derby, said on Sunday: "Whilst I understand the apprehension of some, the fact Matt Ashton and Liverpool council are running the tests and not Serco gives me confidence.
"My friend with his family of five went for testing today and all the kids tested positive.
"Now isolating and breaking the chain of transmission."
From today, a total of 17 centres are now open, from 7am - 7pm.
People are asked to book testing slots at www.gov.uk/testliverpool – or using the NHS Covid-19 App, and they should not just walk up to a test centre.
The centres are at Liverpool FC Anfield Stadium, L4 0TH, Merseyside Caribbean Centre, Amberley Street, Toxteth, L8 1YJ, Lifestyles Walton, Walton Hall Park, L4 9XP, Lifestyles Austin Rawlinson, Conleach Road, Speke, L24 0TR, Bridge Community Centre, Daneville Road, L4 9RG, St Stephen’s Church Hall, Belle Vale Rd, L25 2PQ, Aintree Baptist Church, Longmoor Lane, L9 0EH, Croxteth Sports Centre, Altcross Road, L11 0BS, St Johns Market, Liverpool city centre, University of Liverpool gym, Bedford Street North, L69 7ZN, Lifestyles Alsop Fitness Centre, 1 Walton Village, L4 6RW, Exhibition Centre Liverpool, Kings Dock, L3 4FP, Lifestyles Ellergreen, Ellergreen Road, L11 2XY, Lifestyles Park Road, Steble Street, L8 6QH, Liverpool Tennis Centre, Wellington Road, L15 4LE, Lifestyles Garston, Long Lane, L19 6PE, IM Marsh, Barkhill Road, Aigburth, L17 6BD.
