Following an overwhelming response to the mobile Covid-19 testing in Stone, the testing team will be extending the testing facility to run from the 29th July until Sunday 2nd August – ten positive cases have currently been identified.
Queues today looped through the car park and along Church Street as concerned Stone residents headed to be tested. The unprecedented demand lead to scenes reminiscent of nearby Alton Towers with people being told that the queue would take up to two hours as people joined.
Updated Testing Procedures
There are updated hours of operation for the testing, for Thursday and Friday the unit will be open from 11am until 3pm for Saturday and Sunday it’s 10.30am to 3.30pm.
Testing will be by APPOINTMENT ONLY, and people can arrive on foot or by car. To book an appointment, please visit https://www.gov.uk/get-
People who aren’t experiencing symptoms will need to choose the ‘I am in a lockdown area with a coronavirus outbreak’ option, even though there is no lockdown in Stone.
The site and new testing hours will replace the previously announced walk-in testing site due to happen on Friday.
The news comes after the testing centre saw hundreds of people turn up to get a test, after a confirmed Covid-19 outbreak at the Crown and Anchor pub.
More than 300 people were tested in the first two hours, with queues forming as people took advantage of the free testing on offer in the town.
Around ten people so far have tested positive as a result of attending the pub on 16, 17 and 18 July, or having been in close contact with someone who was in the pub on that weekend.
Staffordshire County Council’s Director for Public Health Dr Richard Harling said:
“We have had a brilliant response to the walk-in testing, and I want to thank the community for coming forward to be tested. This testing will give us a much better picture of the extent of infection and help us to control the outbreak.
“By switching to a booking system, this should prevent some of the queues we have seen today and reduce waiting times for people wanting to get a test. So for anyone who hasn’t being tested today, we are encouraging them to go online and book an appointment to be tested. This could be at the testing centre that’s been set up in Stone, or one of the exiting sites at Bet 356 Stadium in Stoke or Beaconside in Stafford. Booking online is simple—you just go to the website, make your way through the stages, and choose the ‘I am in a ‘lockdown’ area’ option, although to be clear, there is no lockdown in Stone.”
“We need as many people as possible to come and get tested—so please don’t delay in booking a test.
“We’re doing everything we can to prevent outbreaks and stop the virus from spreading. Residents can help by continuing to follow the rules to stop the spread of Covid-19—washing hands regularly, keeping your distance, and wearing face coverings in shops and on public transport.”
Further details have also been released about further possible transmission points. One person who tested positive attended both the Crown and Anchor and then went on to hold a private gathering for a birthday celebration.
Background
The outbreak centres around the Crown and Anchor Pub in Stone and people who attended on the following dates:
- Thursday 16th July 2020
- Friday 17th July 2020
- Saturday 18th July 2020
Who needs to be tested?
There are three main groups of people who should be tested:
- People who attended (either to drink or work) the Crown and Anchor pub at any time on the Thursday 16th July to Saturday 18th July.
- People who have come into close contact with people who have been in close contact with anyone in group 1.
- Anyone who had been drinking in Stone across that weekend who are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms such as a high temperature, new persistent cough or loss of taste and smell.
Where to go?
The testing clinic will be located at the Stafford Borough Council ran Crown Street Car Park, which is adjacent to the canal.
Do I need to self-isolate?
If you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 you need to self-isolate for 14 days.
If you were in the pub on those days, you need to get a test and if you test positive, you will need to self-isolate for 10 days regardless of whether you display any symptoms.
If you test positive, contact tracers will then ask for your close contacts, who will need to self-isolate for 14 days.
NHS Test and Trace
Unfortunately records where not kept by the Crown and Anchor of those who attended which means that the NHS Test and Trace service, which was implemented to speed up this type of operation, is severely hampered.
Due to the mobile testing activity the Stafford Borough car park won’t be available for parking in, alternative parking can be found at Christchurch Way or you can utilise on-street parking.
If you’d prefer to use one of the testing stations in Stoke or Stafford then please book via the NHS website – Book a Covid-19 test
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1 comment
Stephen Astbury
As a resident in Stone I was shocked about the lack of care the Landlord of the Crown and Anchor has shown in a national crisis with Covid-19 Our local health authorities police and councils should suspend their license and close this establishment down Stone is trying to recover its business this is a serious threat to the High Street