New COVID-19 testing centre set up in Dewsbury as advice is issued to residents

The Council has said the rates of positive COVID-19 tests have increased in Kirklees over the last three weeks.

In a bid to prevent the spread of the virus and to bring infection rates down, the local authority has been working with councillors and residents to open testing sites in communities, making it easier for more people with symptoms to get tested.

In addition to the four existing testing units in Kirklees, there are now two walk-through testing centres in areas with higher infection rates for people who live nearby that might struggle to access the mobile or regional sites.

A walk-through testing centre has been in place in Ravensthorpe for the last few weeks and the second officially opened in Saville Town.

Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Kirklees Council’s Strategic Director for Public Health, said: “Our rates of infection have increased over the last three weeks and are above the national average - this is something we have to take seriously.

“We have been working with Government to introduce more local testing centres to Kirklees – focusing on our highest infection rate areas - to make it easier for everyone to get tested. If you have symptoms, no matter how mild they might be, please get a test.

“In Kirklees, we have a strong testing infrastructure in place and we are well on with our plans to support it with a local tracing system which complements the national programme, to help reach people who might be at risk of infection.

“It’s clear from our latest testing data that the virus is very much still out there and is still spreading. Getting tested and self-isolating if you test positive could save someone’s life and in the long run this will bring our rates down and will see us get the freedoms that we all miss back sooner.

“It’s just as important as ever to also continue to follow all the latest guidance from Government around social distancing, hand-washing and not meeting with people from other households. Thank you to everyone across Kirklees for your continued efforts to fight this virus.”

These centres are both open from 8am-8pm every day and you do not have to book. They are based at:

Ravensthorpe KNH (Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing), Queens Street, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury WF13 3BT for the last few weeks.

Savile Town Testing at the UK Greetings Card Company rear car park, Wharf Street, Savile Town, Dewsbury, WF12 9AS.

There are also four mobile testing units across Kirklees where residents can book tests at by visiting www.kirklees.gov.uk/covid19testing

Batley – Wards Hill Car Park, Wellington Street, Batley, WF17 5HZ

Dewsbury – Cliffe Street Car Park, Sharp Street, Dewsbury, WF13 1QZ

Holmfirth – Car Park at Holmfirth Pool and Fitness Centre, Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth, HD9 3JL (from 10 August 2020)

Fartown Cricket Club, Spaines Road, Huddersfield, HD2 2RE

The introduction of more testing sites means around 5,000 people a week are now being tested in Kirklees – more than ever before.

The Council has said this is likely to have contributed to an increase in infection rates.

However, the local authority said it’s clear that the virus is still spreading, and the need get tested if you have symptoms and to follow all the latest guidance is just as important as ever in Kirklees.