Wigan's coronavirus testing centre feels impact of high demand for tests across the country

The council’s public health chief has urged people only to get tested if they have symptoms, echoing calls made by the Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Residents across the borough, as well as around the country, have reported being told to drive miles away for tests, despite having facilities on their doorstep.

Wigan Council has a testing centre on Chapel Lane, in the town centre, which is not part of the national system but is feeling the impact of the rising demand for tests.

Prof Kate Ardern, director of public health, said: “The local testing centre is the latest component in our response to the virus and gives us the ability to respond quickly to any local outbreaks of infection.

“It is separate to the national testing system. However, as a result of the current high demands and shortages in the national testing system, we are seeing a knock-on effect at our local centre. Our officers are working really hard to mitigate this.

“We must urge people to only book a test at the centre if they are showing symptoms and require a test. This will help us to manage local demand.

“If you are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, you, your household and anyone included in your support bubble should begin to self-isolate immediately while you arrange to get a test done as soon as possible.

“It’s so important people continue to follow the national guidance around wearing a face covering, washing hands regularly and keeping a two-metre distance from others.”

Dr Tim Dalton, a GP and chairman of NHS Wigan Borough CCG, reiterated the need for people to stay at home if they have symptoms.

He said: “If you are waiting for a test, you should stay at home and isolate with your household; you don’t need to contact your GP or go to A&E. If you have symptoms, paracetamol or ibuprofen should help you to manage them. Use the NHS 111 Online Coronavirus service or ring 111 if you can’t manage your symptoms at home, or if you have a long-term condition that is getting much worse.”-

Wigan’s infection rates have consistently been among the lowest in Greater Manchester and residents have fewer restrictions than those in other boroughs, but cases are rising.

Data shared by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham showed the borough’s seven-day rate of positive tests was 28.9 per 100,000 people for the week ending on Saturday, rising from 12.2 for the two previous weeks.

However, this remains far below the rate of 59.1 for Greater Manchester and is still the second lowest in the county.

Mr Burnham said: “The infection rate is rising but it is still relatively low, and don’t forget the wider context for the figures is that cases are rising all over the country, and I think Wigan is still very much closer to the national average than other Greater Manchester boroughs.

“But nevertheless of course we are concerned and we were concerned back in the summer and that’s why Wigan was part of the restrictions that were announced to prevent the borough from seeing the increases that other boroughs have had.”

Across Greater Manchester, the latest figures show 1,541 tests were carried out weekly per 100,000 people.

Wigan had the lowest rate of testing in the county at 1,203 per 100,000 people, though this was a significant rise from 855 the previous week.

The council set up a testing centre on Chapel Lane for residents with symptoms of Covid-19 and operates using a drive-through system.

It is not part of the national system and tests can be booked through the council online or by phone for people who have symptoms. Tests cannot be carried out for children under five, who must use the national testing system.

Samples are collected by couriers and delivered to a government laboratory for analysis. The aim is to return test results within 48 hours.

Despite having a test centre in town, people across the borough have reported struggling to book an appointment.

The Post was contacted by one Wigan man who tried to book a coronavirus test on the Government’s website and was offered one in Telford, 61 miles away.

He says two of his colleagues, who live in Bolton, were offered tests even further away - in Aberdeen.

But he knew there was a test site on Chapel Lane and, after discovering it was not part of the national booking system, managed to fill in an online application and was told someone would contact him within 48 hours.

He described it as a “farce” that he was told to go to Aberdeen because the centre in Wigan is not part of the national system.

The issue of testing has been a focus of the Government’s this week, as it tries to get to grips with rising numbers of coronavirus cases nationwide.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told BBC Breakfast: “We have seen this quite sharp rise in the last couple of weeks of people without symptoms who don’t have a good reason coming forward to get a test.

“There have been stories of whole schools, or parts of schools, being all sent to get a test – that is not acceptable, that is not an appropriate use of our testing resources.

“I’ve even heard stories of people saying, ‘I’m going on holiday next week therefore I’m going to get a test.’ No – that is not what the testing system is there for.

“We’ve got to be firmer, I’m afraid, with the rules around eligibility for testing.”

Anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus can request a test at the Chapel Lane site at www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Crime-Emergencies/Coronavirus/Request-a-test-for-Coronavirus.aspx