Harlow Football Club will host a mobile testing site for COVID-19 next week.

The site will be open for pre-booked appointments on Tuesday 12 May, Wednesday 13 May and Thursday 14 May between 10.30am to 4pm each day.

The site is being supported by colleagues from the military and is accessible to those who meet the COVID-19 testing criteria and strictly by appointment only – booked through the national gov.uk website.

Anyone wanting to be tested must:

• Meet the eligibility criteria – see the gov.uk website
• Pre-book an appointment – via the gov.uk website
• Travel to the centre by car – i.e. not on foot or by public transport

The sites are open to symptomatic people who are:

• Key workers/their household members who have symptoms
• People aged 65 and over/their household members who have symptoms
• Those that are currently having to travel to work who fall outside of the key worker group, and their household members who have symptoms

Testing should be carried out in the first three days of developing symptoms and not after day five.

Mobile testing will also be carried out at:

• Clacton Leisure Centre         Monday  11 May and Tuesday 12 May
• Rayleigh Leisure Centre        Wednesday 13 May, Thursday 14 May and Friday 15 May

It’s hoped more mobile testing sites will appear across Essex in the near future.

Tests are also being offered at the national site at Stansted and by way of home delivery kits – which again should be booked through the gov.uk website.

Further updates will be shared when information becomes available.

Further information about eligibility and to book a test visit www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test 

West Essex CCG is urging residents to contact their GP if they need medical advice.

While everyone is being asked to stay at home and social distance to reduce the spread of coronavirus, it is important people continue to seek medical assistance if they are concerned about specific symptoms relating to cancer, heart attack and stroke. It is also vital parents continue to take their children for routine vaccinations and pregnant women keep their antenatal appointments with their midwife.

Support continues to be available for adults and children experiencing mental health issues and for parents and carers of those with learning disabilities and autism.

For urgent or emergency care, people are being urged to visit NHS 111 online, call 111 or dial 999 in an emergency.

Rob Gerlis, Chair of West Essex CCG, said: “It is vital that people who are ill or are worried about certain symptoms seek help. They can visit 111 online, call 111 or dial 999 in emergency.

“People may be directed to their GP who will arrange to speak to them and if need be, or organise a face-to-face appointment.

“We are here to make sure patients receive the care and treatment they need, when they need it and the last thing we would want is our patients to be diagnosed with a serious illness because they were worried about seeing their GP at this time. Patients can be reassured that GPs can assess them on the phone or via video but if necessary, have measures in place to see them safely.

“This message is also important for pregnant women and parents with young children who may be coming up to the time for their routine vaccinations. These vaccinations protect against some serious and deadly illnesses so we would encourage parents to keep those appointments.”

For more information visit www.nhs.uk

With VE Day and the first May Bank Holiday fast approaching on Friday 8 May, local doctors have issued advice to help you to stay well and make sure you have enough medicines to see you through. You are able to contact your GP via telephone, however please do not attend your surgery in person unless your GP asks you to attend.

Your GP will be able to speak to you on the telephone or via video consultations to help patients stay safe. Your GP will advise you if they think there is a medical need for you to be seen face-to-face.

NHS 111 online                                                                                               

If you have access to the internet then NHS 111 online is available 24 hours a day to support you.

If you think you have symptoms of Coronavirus do not visit the GP, pharmacy or hospital, please visit www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19 The NHS 111 phone service is currently experiencing huge volumes of calls. This will allow the NHS 111 service to help those who need them most.

If your Coronavirus symptoms worsen or you are unable to manage them at home, or you do not have access to the internet, please call NHS 111.

For the latest information and advice about Coronavirus visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Pharmacies                                                    

Local pharmacies will be open on the Bank Holiday, although opening times may vary. 

All pharmacies will be open as a minimum from 2pm until 5pm on Bank Holiday Monday with some pharmacies extending these hours. Please check this link for individual pharmacy opening times:www.england.nhs.uk/east-of-england/nhs-england-and-nhs-improvement-east-of-englands-work/pharmacy-information/

Stay at home advice

The Government guidance is currently to stay at home and only leave the house for urgent medical needs, to go shopping, to exercise once a day or to pick up medication.

Keep up to date with the latest Coronavirus information on www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Dr. Rob Gerlis, Chair of West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, said:  

“As everyone knows, the NHS is working tirelessly to keep people safe and well during the Coronavirus pandemic and will continue to do so over the May Bank Holiday “Residents can support us by following Government advice to stay and home and only leave the house to go shopping, for an urgent medical need or for exercise once a day.

“If anyone has an urgent medical need please follow the advice to visit www.111.nhs.uk, where there is also information on symptoms for Coronavirus and the guidance to follow.

“We hope everyone has a safe Bank Holiday.”