Peterborough residents with no COVID symptoms urged not to book a test

There have been reports of Peterborough residents being sent to places as far away as Cromer - an 80 mile, two hour drive away, as demand for tests increases while there has been a rise in cases across the country.

Peterborough is listed as ‘an area of concern’ for coronavirus.

Now public health chiefs are urging residents to only book a test if they are experiencing symptoms of the disease, which include a fever, new continuous cough or a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell.

A Peterborough City Council spokesman said: “The National Testing Programme is currently experiencing exceptionally high demand and as a result we know that some people may be struggling to access the time and location that they want.

“If you’ve tried to book a test for coronavirus and you’ve not been able to, or you’ve been offered a location or time that’s not convenient, our advice is to wait a few hours and try again. Booking slots are made available the evening before for morning appointments, and on the morning for afternoon appointments. Alternatively, people can call 119.

“If you have symptoms of coronavirus, please don’t give up when trying to book a test - keep trying and continue to self-isolate for the full 14 days if you are unable to get a test.

“If you don’t have symptoms of coronavirus - a fever, new continuous cough or a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell - and have no cause to suspect you have been in a situation that has increase your risk of infection, please don’t book a test. By doing so, you might be denying someone who genuinely needs it.”

In Peterborough mobile testing sites are available at:

Thursday (10 September) - Pyramid Community Centre, Bretton

Saturday (12 September) - Dogsthorpe Community Centre

Sunday (13 September) - Gladstone Park Community Centre and Pyramid Community Centre

The centre at The East of England Showgroudn is also open.

Meanwhile, Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council have now produced videos in 12 languages which ask people to consider their actions outside of work and help reduce the spread of Coronavirus.

More videos are expected to be uploaded soon, but the message has already been translated into languages including Polish, Portuguese and Russian.

The video reminds us all to think about everything we do in work and in our spare time and how this might affect the spread of the virus. It includes information about following the guidance, including social distancing, washing our hands, wearing face coverings and getting tested if you display Covid-19 symptoms.

Dr Liz Robin, Director of Public Health for Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, said: “Although we are seeing the number of deaths from Coronavirus remain low, the number of confirmed cases is growing nationally and there has never been a greater need for people to follow the guidance to keep themselves, their friends, family and work colleagues safe.

“We continue to work hard to address the behaviours that we know could be leading to people catching the virus, including asking people to consider how their actions in their spare time impact the people they work with, for example school children and the elderly.

“We have produced a script offering advice which we have so far had translated into 12 different languages as video blogs. I would ask people to watch the blog in their relevant language and to share it with their family and friends. If you do, you will be saving lives and reducing the chances of the people you love and care for from catching the virus.”

To access the videos, visit https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/healthcare/public-health/coronavirus/coronavirus-campaign-for-communities