Virus testing facility returning to Harrogate for anyone aged over five with symptoms

The drive-through facility will set up at Harrogate Hydro car park on Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23.

It is being organised by the Ministry of Defence and Department of Health and Social Care who have warned people to not just turn up to the Jenny Field Drive site, but make an appointment first.

There are two ways to do this depending on which testing group you are part of.

Anyone aged five and over who is showing coronavirus symptoms should register for a test on the NHS website.

People who don't have access to the internet, or who have difficulty with the digital portals, can ring the new 119 service to book.

Key workers and members of their household should register for a test on the government website.

Tests can be booked from 8pm the night before.

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Testing was previously held on the Hydro car park on the 5th, 16th and 17th of May.

It comes as a new coronavirus antibody test will go live in the UK in the next fortnight.

The groundbreaking test takes a blood sample from a patient to show if someone has had the virus.

If the antibodies show up as positive it will be the first clue in establishing that somebody has a degree of immunity to covid-19.

Here are the web links:

Anyone aged five and over who is showing coronavirus symptoms - www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19

Key workers - www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test-essential-workers

You can see the list of essential workers prioritised for testing on the government website here - www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter

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