Littleborough FAST Covid-19 testing site opens for frontline workers with no symptoms

The Littleborough Find And Stop Transmission (FAST) testing site has opened today, Friday 22 January, after being launched in other sites across the borough earlier this week.

Anyone who cannot work from home or comes into regular contact with the public is encouraged to take up this offer of new Find And Stop Transmission (FAST) testing to protect themselves, their loved ones, and other residents.

Councillor Daalat Ali, cabinet member for healthy lives, said: “We’ve seen a great response to the sites this week. Businesses and their staff really see the benefit of FAST testing and how it’s there to help them so I’d encourage anyone who cannot work from home to come and get tested regularly, it’s quick and easy to do and we’ve lots of availability.”

This FAST testing programme, which use lateral flow tests, aims to identify those who unknowingly have the virus as they have no symptoms – otherwise known as asymptomatic.

Andrea Fallon, director of public health at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “FAST testing is a really key way that we can help stop the spread of this deadly virus. One in three people who have Covid-19 show no symptoms. Combine that with not being able to work from home and it’s easy to see how the virus can spread. We all have a role to play in protecting each other and our NHS.”

FAST tests are only for people showing no symptoms. You must not attend if you have any symptoms. Tests are free and there is no need to book you can simply turn up at one of the sites across the borough:

• Rochdale – Nye Bevan House, Maclure Road, Rochdale, OL11 1DN
• Heywood – Heywood Sports Village, West Starkey Street, Heywood, OL10 4TW (both a walk in site and a drive-through site)
• Middleton – Bowlee Sports Centre, Windermere Road, Middleton, M24 4LA
• Pennines – Hare Hill Bowling Club, Townhouse Road Littleborough, OL15 9BG

All sites are open 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm at weekends.

People are encouraged to get tested every week to provide greater protection to themselves and others.

If you have Covid-19 symptoms please do not attend. You should book a test via the NHS website or phoning 101.   

You must continue to wear a mask and keep socially distant on the testing sites.

The test

Please ensure you follow the instructions carefully at all times. You will be guided to a booth to complete the test.

You should wear a face covering at all times except when the test is taking place unless you are exempt. 

The test should not take any longer than a few minutes and is similar to a covid-19 test for when you have symptoms. 

Test results

Results are given via text or email after half an hour of your test.

If you test negative you must continue to follow all the guidelines in place. Please continue to get tested weekly. 

If your test is positive, you will need to self-isolate and take a test for those with symptoms at one of our covid-19 test centres. If that also comes back positive you will need to remain isolating for 10 days from the date of your FAST test.

Support of up to £500 for those that test positive is available if isolation would impact on your income. For more information on this support and the testing available please visit rochdale.gov.uk/Coronavirus