FAST testing roving sites roll into town

Roving testing sites for FAST testing are coming to various places across the borough.

The sites will provide FAST tests at community locations that are easy to access for anyone.

They can be attended by anyone locally who is showing no symptoms of Covid-19. The 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.

The aim of the testing is to find people in the community who may have the deadly virus but are showing no symptoms. One in three people with Covid-19 show no symptoms.

The initial sites announced are:

• Wednesday 17 February Stanycliffe Community Centre 11am to 6pm
• Thursday 18 February Smallbridge Library 11am to 6pm
• Friday 19 February Castlemere Community Centre 12noon – 6pm
• Saturday 20 February Spotland Library 10am – 4pm

Councillor Daalat Ali, cabinet member for public health, said: “We hope that people come along to these sites when they are in their area. If they are well used then we can bring them to communities on a regular basis.

“Our FAST testing sites have been finding positive cases from people who had no symptoms so this facility is a really useful tool in our fight against Covid-19 and we’re really grateful to everyone who has been taking up regular FAST Testing.” 

Further sites and dates across the borough will be announced in due course.

FAST Testing remains available at the four main sites in the borough:

• Hare Hill Bowling Club, Littleborough
• Bowlee Sports Centre, Middleton
• Nye Bevan, Rochdale
• Heywood Sports Village

Those sites are open 8am – 7pm on weekdays and 10am – 4pm at weekends. They are for anyone without symptoms and there is no need to book.

It is still important to get tested even if you’ve had your first vaccine as you may still be able to carry the virus and pass it on to others.

For more information on FAST Testing please visit rochdale.gov.uk/FastTesting