Tameside's COVID-19 rapid testing programme is now underway

The rapid testing programme is being used to help detect and fight COVID-19. It uses lateral flow tests and the programme is only for people showing no symptoms. The tests are free.

Targeted COVID-19 Rapid Testing for key workers with no Symptoms

What is the rapid testing programme?

We are making those eligible aware and inviting them to get tested at an Asymptomatic Testing Centre (ATS)

You must not turn up to be tested at an ATS if you have any symptoms. If you have symptoms, Please book a PCR test at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119.

If you’ve been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, you may be entitled to a £500 payment.

Are you:
✅employed or self employed?
✅on a low income?
✅unable to work from home?
✅losing income through self-isolating?

Find out more:https://t.co/ztUUQdrZlX

— Tameside Council (@TamesideCouncil) January 24, 2021

Who can access the rapid testing programme?

Across the borough of Tameside frontline workers showing no symptoms can be rapid tested. If you're unable to work from home and need to come into contact with others at work you'll be eligible for rapid testing.

The tests are aimed at key workers like health and social care staff, nurseries and early years staff, carers, taxi drivers, other transport workers, those working in manufacturing and retail, police, fire, retail workers and frontline utility staff.

If you have had a Covid vaccination it is still important to come for rapid lateral flow testing as it is still possible to become infected with Covid, not have symptoms and pass it on to others.
If you have had Covid it is still important to come for rapid lateral flow testing. This is because it is possible to catch Covid twice and people’s antibodies decline at differing rates.

How do I get tested?
You don't need to book, you can simply turn up at one of the rapid testing centres across the borough and bring ID and proof of occupation.
We're encouraging you to get tested every week to provide greater protection to both yourself and others.

Where are the rapid test centres, and when are they open?

Dukinfield Town Hall Chapel Street entrance
King Street, Dukinfield, SK16 4LA Monday - Friday 7am-7pm

Stalybridge Civic Hall - (Old Market Hall) entrance near the Statue
Trinity Street, Stalybridge SK15 2BN Monday – Friday 9am-5pm

What will happen at the rapid test centres?

You'll need to ensure you follow the instructions carefully at the test centre at all times.

1. You should wear a face covering at all times except when the test is taking place, unless you're exempt.
2. You'll be asked to register your test ideally using your own device such as a a smart phone with QR reader. If you don't have access to a device we'll be able to help you register.
3. You will be guided to a booth where you'll follow a step-by-step guide to self-administer the test.
4. The test should take you no longer than a few minutes to complete and is similar to a COVID-19 test for when you've symptoms.

Your test results

You should receive your results by text or email after 30 minutes of having your test.

If you test negative this does not guarantee that you do not have Covid so you must continue to follow COVID-19 measures. You should also continue to get tested weekly to provide greater protection to both yourself and others.

If you test positive, you'll need to:
Self-isolate immediately.
Book a PCR test or get a home test. If that also comes back positive, you and your household will be required by law to continue isolating for 10 days from the date of your rapid test.

Book a PCR or home test.
If you're isolating, unable to work and on low income you can find out if you're eligible for a £500 Test and Trace Support Payment.

Tameside Leaders warn ‘exponential rise’ in new Covid-19 cases

More than 9,000 people have already been vaccinated in Tameside but bosses warn the borough is facing an ‘exponential rise’ in new Covid-19 cases.

Greater Manchester is currently locked down for the third time as part of tough nationwide measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

A new more transmissible strain of the virus is now circulating in the region, which is also seeing infection rates and hospital admissions increase again.

Leaders say that locally infections have ‘doubled in recent days’ and the lockdown, with its ‘stay at home’ rules, has come at a crucial time to protect the NHS and save lives.

Chiefs say that despite Tameside’s rates being generally lower than many other parts of the country during the previous tier restrictions, they were ‘still too high’.

And the impact of Christmas and the increased spread from the south to the north of the new more transmissible Covid-19 variant means the borough has started to see an ‘exponential rise’.

As of Tuesday, January 5 the infection rate per 100,000 people in Tameside has risen to 287, an increase of 72pc from the previous week.

The council’s director of public health Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy said: “The timing of this latest national lockdown is crucial as we must act now to have the best chance of getting a grip on our local Covid rates, which have now started to rise exponentially.

“The new variant of Covid that is increasing nationally is far more transmissible, meaning you are much likely to catch it and much more likely to pass it on to others.

“Every contact you have is a huge risk and you need to act at all times like you have Covid to safeguard against the risk of you passing it on and someone falling very ill or even dying as a result.”

She added that people must stay home ‘wherever possible’ and be ‘extra vigilant’ about washing their hands, wearing a face covering and social distancing.

The current lockdown rules mean people cannot leave their homes except for specified and limited reasons, including essential medical needs and food shopping, exercise and work for those who cannot do so from home.

However council leader Brenda Warrington said they are making progress with the vaccination programme across the borough which was a ‘light at the end of the tunnel’.

“The good news is the Covid vaccination rollout in Tameside and Glossop is going exceptionally well – with over 9,000 people having had their first vaccination already and I’m pleased to say that, subject to the receipt of adequate further vaccine supply, we are well on track to getting everyone in the top priority groups vaccinated by mid February,” she added.

“My heart totally goes out to everyone – individuals, families and businesses – who have already experienced such a difficult year and made ongoing sacrifices they could never have previously imagined.

“But even more importantly, we all need to remember the people and families whose lives have been seriously affected by Covid and do everything we can to prevent further loss of lives and people falling very ill from the disease.

“The tough new restrictions including the ‘stay at home’ rule will have a huge and positive impact on preventing the number of local people getting very poorly and being admitted to hospital with Covid.

“And while the lockdown is yet another bitter pill to swallow, it could make the difference in preventing someone you know, love and care about falling ill with the virus.

“So I urge everyone to please stick to the rules – no one wants to put these restrictions on people’s lives but they are here to protect us all and ensure we can all look forward to better times very soon.”

Tameside Covid-19 cases now into Double Figures

There are now 10 people in the Tameside borough confirmed to have caught Coronavirus. 

The total of cases in Greater Manchester is now at 80 confirmed cases. This is estimated to be a lot higher as no testing is being carried out on a national scale.

The number of cases in Tameside are tracking very similar to local Stockport and Oldham. 

Public Health England have released the numbers, which show an increase of seven cases. 

One man has so far died in the borough from the virus. A man in his 80s died at Tameside and Glossop Hospital. 

Tameside Covid-19 cases now into Double Figures 
Wednesday 18th March 2020 

The man had underlying health conditions, the NHS said. 

There are now 1,950 confirmed cases of COVID-19 nationwide. 

Sixty people have died from the disease while 65 have recovered. 

Yesterday (Tuesday) saw the largest single-day case rise since the outbreak began, with 407 new confirmed cases.