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Welcome to the very first Swab Squad newsletter!

This is the first edition of our newsletter aiming to keep you up to date with the latest news related to lateral flow testing throughout Cheshire East. In this we will also highlight the work we are carrying out to support both residents and local business with Covid-19 testing.

The Swab Squad is how the team started to become widely referred to within Cheshire East, so we have opted to use this brand name to highlight all of our local testing programmes and activity.

If you are reading this and have not already signed up you can easily sign up to our email newsletter list to receive your own regular copy.

Crewe Testing news:

On the 6 April 2021, Cheshire East Council launched a trial dual Covid-19 test site. The “dual site”, located in Crewe, is the first of its kind in the UK and offers residents both asymptomatic Lateral Flow Tests and PCR tests for those with symptoms.

PCR tests are available at the Crewe site every day from 8am-1pm and must be booked via the national booking portal https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

Lateral Flow Tests are available at the site from 2.30pm-8pm, appointments must be booked via the Council’s booking system: https://cheshireeast.zipporah.co.uk/LFT.Bookings

Take a look at this video from Dr Matt Tyrer, Director of Public Health at Cheshire East Council talking about the Crewe site and what to expect there https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_GYNkGy-b0

Home testing kits:

There are two main ways you can get home testing kits:

(1) 'Click and Collect' service from 5 testing sites:

Test kits are now readily available by pre-booked appointment online* to collect from our 5 asymptomatic testing sites (ATS) across the borough.  These are at the following locations and days / times:

• Prestbury Village Hall – Monday 09.00 – 17.00
• Wesley Centre, Sandbach – Tuesday & Thursday 09.00 – 17.00
• New Life Church, Congleton – Tuesday & Thursday 09.00 – 17.00
• Middlewich Community Church – Wednesday 09.00 – 17.00
• Macclesfield Community Centre – Monday & Friday 09.00 – 17.00

* If you are unable to use the online click and collect system, you can phone 0300 123 5032 and someone in our contact tracing team with be able to help you with booking an appointment. 

(2) Collect direct from Crewe or Macclesfield Local Testing sites:

We also have two main Local Testing Sites (LTS) in Crewe and Macclesfield, where you can collect directly without an appointment at the addresses below and at the following times:

• Crewe local testing site - Chester Street Car Park, Crewe, CW1 2ER between 2.30pm – 8pm
  
• Macclesfield local testing site - Commercial Road, Macclesfield, SK10 2QJ between 2.30pm – 8pm

Workplace testing:

As we gradually move beyond Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, regular testing in the workplace is seen as key to containing and preventing a return of the virus. 

With around 1 in 3 people who have Covid-19 showing no symptoms but still able to transmit the virus, regular workplace testing is seen as the way to reassure staff at work that they are protecting their loved ones and supporting the NHS.

Any local business who needs assistance with testing their staff can contact our team on: lft@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Further information that the UK Government has provided for employers can be seen at Government guidance for employers and third-party healthcare providers

Test and Tweet:

Finally, the Swab Squad now have our own dedicated twitter account too.

You can find us on at twitter at: @cec_swabsquad

With lots going on with testing and occasional changes to test centre times and the like, twitter is a great forum for keeping up to date on local testing news. 

So do please consider following us and also the occasional retweet (which will earn you hero status here!) as this all helps broaden awareness of the local testing options.