Cheshire East Council have opened a new mobile COVID-19 testing unit in Wilmslow, to help combat the Delta (Indian) variant.

It is located at Handforth Youth Centre, Old Rd, Handforth, Wilmslow, SK9 3DA.

The new mobile testing unit is already live with planned deployment until at least June 13.

However, it is unlikely the new centre will serve many Wilmslow residents in the first few days. Cases remain low, and Cheshire East haven't called for the Wilmslow public to be tested.

There were fewer than three cases in Wilmslow Town on the seven days to June 4. As with Wilmslow Park, Handforth & Dean Row, along with Alderley Edge & Chelford.

Cheshire East Council opened the Wilmslow centre in response to rising cases nine miles south east of our town. Cases in Macclesfield are skyrocketing.

Our borough council are urging every Macclesfield adult to get tested immediately, where cases increased from 101 to 134 in two days.

This is following a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases across the area, largely driven by the Delta variant.

The new mobile testing unit in Wilmslow is not to overwhelm our neighbouring town.

However, Cheshire East Council are asking for every adult in Macclesfield to take a COVID-19 test, even if they aren't showing symptoms.

Working in partnership with NHS Test and Trace, Cheshire East Council is asking every person living in Macclesfield over the age of eighteen, to take a PCR COVID-19 test, even if they are not showing symptoms.

In response to the rise in cases, particularly found in the 18-39 age group, Cheshire East Council has deployed several mobile testing units.

Mobile facilities can be set up in under 20 minutes, allowing the testing of hundreds of people each day and are now travelling to those most in need and hard to reach.

Specially trained personnel will collect swabs at the mobile sites before they are sent to an NHS Test and Trace laboratory for processing. Those tested will receive results within 24 hours.

Dr Matt Tyrer, director of public health at Cheshire East Council, said: "Unfortunately cases of COVID-19 are continuing to rise at an alarming rate right across Cheshire East and particularly in and around Macclesfield and Crewe.

"Supporting our existing network of testing facilities, these mobile testing units will help us to increase our testing capacity for asymptomatic (without symptoms) testing.

"I can't stress this enough, but it really is important to maintain regular testing, even if you have been vaccinated.

"You may not have felt it was important to get tested before, but this new variant is far more transmissible and you may not know you have got it if you don't have a test.

"You could spread it without knowing and we are making it much easier to check.

"Please do make your way to one of the local test sites or mobile units as testing is the only way to be certain if you are positive or not."

Advice to heed to hands, space, face, along with fresh air are encouraged with this demand for more testing.

Councillor Jill Rhodes, Cheshire East Council adults and health committee chair, said: "If we are to eliminate COVID-19 in Cheshire East then we really need residents to do the right thing which means continuing to follow the national guidance.

"This is especially important for our younger residents and those who are still to receive either one or both vaccinations.

"If a person tests positive, has any symptoms, or are contact traced following contact with someone who tests positive, they should self-isolate immediately".

It provides walk-in symptomatic and asymptomatic testing. All necessary measures have been taken to ensure asymptomatic and symptomatic residents do not mix.

Opening times and details can be found by going to the council's testing web page.

The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are still a high temperature, a new continuous cough, and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

Most people with symptoms have at least one of these but more than one in three people do not display symptoms which is why continuing to follow and adhere to hands, space face and fresh air is so critical.

Elsewhere in our borough, new mobile testing units were also deployed in Middlewich and Holmes Chapel.

In other COVID-19 news, those aged 25 and over across the towns Wilmslow Nub News covers can apply for a vaccine. For more information, please head here.

Are you heading to the new mobile testing unit at the Handforth Youth Centre? Will you be getting a test ASAP? Or are you not concerned about this new variant?

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