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Surge testing for Covid 19 in Woodley

covid 19
covid 19

Surge testing to contain Covid-19 variant

Extensive surveillance of Covid-19 has identified a small number of cases of the Covid-19 Delta variant that was first found in India in Wokingham Borough, that cannot be traced back to international travel.

As such, surge testing will be deployed in the following council wards between Monday 7 June and Monday 21 June:

  • Bulmershe and Whitegates
  • Evendons
  • Norreys
  • Wescott

This will enable Wokingham Borough Council to identify any community spread of the new variant and restrict further transmission.

To check what ward you live in and if you are affected, use the postcode checker on the Council’s  surge testing webpage.

All cases are now self-isolating and the Borough Council has conducted robust contact tracing to identify their contacts and ask them to self-isolate.

Testing

We are urging residents over the age of 12 who are living, working, or going to school in these areas to come forward for a Covid-19 test between Monday 7 and Monday 21 June if they are not showing symptoms and even if they have already been vaccinated.

  • From Monday, residents in these areas can get a Covid-19 test at one of our dedicated surge testing sites. You do not need to book. Information on where these sites are located is available on the Council’s website
  • Schools and businesses in these areas will be contacted by the council to arrange delivery of testing kits for pupils and staff
  • Reading Borough Council will also be conducting surge testing in targeted areas
  • If you have coronavirus symptoms you should continue to book a test through the uk website or via the NHS Covid-19 app.

Surge Testing Centres

  • Shute End Eastern Car Park Test Centre (RG40 1BN) – Open 12pm to 6pm, Monday to Sunday
  • Cantley Park Event Field Mobile Test Centre (RG40 5TU) – Open 12pm to 6pm, Monday tov Sunday
  • Headley Road Car Park Mobile Test Centre (RG5 4JA) – Open 12pm to 6pm, Monday to Sunday
  • Sindlesham Court Test Centre (RG41 5EA) – Open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday
  • Microsoft Campus Test Centre (RG6 1WG) – Open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday
  • Shute End Test Centre (RG40 1BN) – Open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday  

Doorstep visits

Wokingham Borough Council will also be door-knocking in the affected areas to inform residents of the surge testing programme. 

Please note that:

  • Volunteers will be from Wokingham Borough Council – they will show you their official ID immediately
  • The test is free – you will never be asked to pay or provide any financial information
  • The testing team won’t enter your household and won’t do any testing for you.

Testing will, in combination with measures such as hands-face-space and fresh air, following national guidance, self-isolating when required and getting vaccinated when eligible, help to suppress and control the spread of the virus and new variants.

Vaccinations for 18-24 year olds in surge testing wards

All residents aged 18 to 24 who are living in Bulmershe & Whitegates, Evendons, Norreys and Wescott, are encouraged to come and get the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at the pop-up vaccination clinic.

The clinic will be at Bulmershe Leisure Centre between Tuesday 15 June and Sunday 27 June (inclusive). The site will be open 9.30am to 8.30pm by walk-in only; you cannot book in advance.

All those coming to the centre for a vaccination must bring proof of ID and proof of address because this programme is targeting those in the affected wards only.

Below is a checklist for those hoping to get a vaccine at Bulmershe Leisure Centre as part of surge vaccination:

  • Don’t come to the centre if you have Covid-19 symptoms or have had a positive test in the past 28 days
  • Check you are eligible – aged 18 to 24 (inclusive) and living in Bulmershe & Whitegates, Evendons, Norreys or Wescott ward – and bring proof of address and ID to the centre
  • Check Wokingham Borough Council’s website or Facebook and Twitter feeds for updates
  • Those living in target wards should still get tested this week as part of our surge testing offer, even if they have had the vaccination

There may be high demand for this service, so please be patient during this time. Anyone not living in these wards will be turned away. There will be NO parking at the leisure centre – nearest parking is in Woodley town centre or University of Reading/Woodley United FC car park (Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, RG6 1FR).

Anybody who does not know what ward they are in can check the postcode tracker on the Council’s surge testing webpage.

This service is for first doses only – second doses should also be booked through the NHS website. In addition, residents aged 25 and over can continue to book their vaccine at a mass vaccination centre through the NHS website

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