By KLTV Newsdesk –
Enhanced surge testing is to be expanded in Kirklees from tomorrow (Tuesday 8 June), with more communities across the borough invited to get a PCR test to help identify cases of the Covid-19 variant first detected in India.
Surge and enhanced testing began in Kirklees on 26 May.
Kirklees Council staff knocked on people’s doors in Savile Town and Thornhill Lees, asking anyone over the age of 11 to take a PCR test.
The scheme then expanded to Batley shortly after.
Drop-in testing units were also set up in Savile Town, Honley and Batley to offer people in these areas a drop-in asymptomatic PCR test – and they remain open
Why Now?
Surge testing began as it was revealed that Kirklees has one of the highest COVID-19 infection rates in the country, with over 100 people per 100,000 testing positive as of last week.
Several cases are of of the ‘Delta’ variant of COVID-19 that was first detected in India.
PCR tests, in particular, are being used because any positive results can be sent to specialist laboratories where they can identify variants of concern, and see where they have spread.
So far, almost 2,000 PCR tests have been taken in Kirklees through door-knocking, with a further almost 5,000 tests taken through schools surge testing which has involved pupils, staff and their households.
There have been 171 new positive cases identified and isolated as a result of this work.
New Areas
Surge testing will now be expanded to Thornhill, Heckmondwike, Liversedge and Westborough and Dewsbury Moor, with residents in these areas to be door-knocked and offered an asymptomatic PCR test from Tuesday 8 June.
An additional mobile testing unit will also open tomorrow at Albion Street Car Park, Heckmondwike, WF16 9LQ.
It will be open from 10 am-4 pm every day for asymptomatic PCR testing walk ups for people in these areas aged 11 and over.
Anyone who lives or works in Kirklees can also get an asymptomatic PCR test at the below testing sites and help us detect potential cases of the new variant and prevent further spread:
- Dewsbury: Dewsbury Railway Station Car Park, Dewsbury, WF13 1HF (Everyday 8am-8pm)
- Huddersfield: Percy Shaw House, also known as Queen Street Studios, Queen Street South, Huddersfield, HD1 3BB. (Everyday 8am-8pm)
- Ravensthorpe: Ravensthorpe KNH (Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing), Queen Street, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury WF13 3BT. (Everyday 8am-8pm)
- Savile Town: Taleem Training and Community Centre, Orchard Street, Savile Town, Dewsbury, WF12 9LT. (Everyday 10am-4pm)
- Honley: Honley Community Centre, Stony Lane, Honley, Holmfirth, HD9 6DY. Open 10am-4pm from 26 May 2021. (Everyday 10am-4pm)
- Batley: Wards Hill Car Park, Wellington Street, Batley, WF17 5HR. Open 10am-4pm from 26 May 2021. (Everyday 10am-4pm)
The council says that door-knocking may be introduced to other areas at a later date, based on data gathered.
So far in Kirklees, more than 244,000 local people having had their first dose and 167,000 of those have received their second.
Anyone aged 30 and over can now book their vaccination.
‘Quick, Easy, Painless’
Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Strategic Director for Public Health at Kirklees Council, said: “Our infection rate is high and is still rising. We have also had a small number of cases of the variant, first detected in India, confirmed in the borough which we know spreads more easily.
“We are urging anyone who lives or works in Kirklees to play their part and visit one of our PCR testing centres and get tested.
“It’s quick, easy, painless and you’ll be playing a vital role in helping us to understand more about the way the virus is spreading in Kirklees.
“We are using PCR tests so that positive results can be sent to specialist laboratories where they can identify variants of concern, and see where they have spread.