A new mobile testing centre will open in Neath from Saturday, in a bid to boost the amount of people being tested in Neath Port Talbot.
Officials revealed an extra testing site has been established to improve access to testing, after the number of locals being tested for coronavirus declined over the Christmas holidays.
The new facility will open at Milland Road Car Park, Neath on Saturday, January 9, where people will be able to get tested from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.
Dr Keith Reid, Swansea Bay University Health Board Director of Public Heath, said: “We’ve seen the number of people being tested locally drop significantly over the holidays.
He added: We need everyone who might have Covid to come forward and be tested. Having local access to testing in Neath helps make it easier to get a test."
Dr Reid also encouraged anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 to get tested and self-isolate "straight away". Symptoms include a temperature, a new persistent cough or loss of taste or smell.
Anyone with symptoms is urged to remain home until they have had their test results.
Residents must book a test before attending the Milland Road site, which can be done by calling 119 or visiting: https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test.
Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council Rob Jones said the new facility is based in a "convenient" location for Neath Port Talbot residents and will "further strengthen" the local Test Trace Protect (TTP) process.
Locals do not need a car to access the testing centre, which will operate in addition to the sites at Longlands Lane Playing Fields, Margam, the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, and the mobile testing units across the Swansea Bay region.
