New Coronavirus Local Testing Site opens on campus for staff, students and community

As part of the preparations for the start of the new academic year and our wider response to the covid pandemic we are pleased to advise that a new walk-through coronavirus testing facility has opened today (Thursday 27 August) at the edge of campus (on part of the South Gate Car Park, near to Sport & Fitness).

The facility, which is part of the government’s UK-wide drive to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing, will be open 7 days a week from 8.00am to 8.00pm and is available for staff, students and members of the community.  Anyone with coronavirus symptoms, however mild, will be able to get a free swab test at the facility - which takes less than a minute to complete.

If you have symptoms you should book a test (although this is a walk-through facility booking is still required) at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.  The facility can only be accessed on foot and anyone attending the site for a test will be provided with specific details around how to access and enter the facility in order to ensure that safe social distancing and a one-way system are maintained at all times. If you have symptoms and have booked a test you should also let your manager know. 

It is really important that you take a test as soon as symptoms begin, however mild they are and self-isolate until results are known.  You will receive your results by text/sms within 24 hours and this will advise what you need to do next.

If you test positive for coronavirus you and your household will need to continue to self-isolate as advised. Anyone testing positive will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them track their close contacts. You should also let the University know if you have had a positive test by contacting your line manager who will provide support and also talk to you about possible close contacts on campus.  This is critical in order to help identify who you may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission. 

Close contacts of those testing positive will hear from NHS Test and Trace, advising them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus.   The University will also be in contact with you if we have reason to believe that you may have been in close contact on campus with someone who has tested positive.  Any close contacts will be advised to book a test if they develop symptoms.

If you have a negative test result then you and the other people in your household will no longer need to isolate if you are all free from symptoms. As long as you feel well you can return to campus and carry on as normal, while ensuring you continue to adhere to the rules around social distancing, good hand hygiene and wearing face coverings.  It is important to note that even if you have a negative test result for coronavirus you could still have another virus such as cold or flu so if you feel unwell, you should stay at home until you feel better.

We are also preparing a step-by-step guide about the University’s approach around test and trace and what you need to do, which will be available on the intranet next week.  We will provide links to this, as well as additional resources, in future staff briefings.

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