Enhanced Testing in Moston and Harpurhey to expand; Work continues in Moss Side as 3,000 people get tested.
Updates to Moston and Harpurhey
Additional capacity for enhanced community testing is to be introduced in Moston following nearly two weeks of successful outreach work in Moss Side, Hulme, Fallowfield and Whalley Range. (Area One)
On Tuesday, 16 February, Manchester City Council announced steps were being taken to identify and isolate cases of the Kent E484K Covid variant after one case was detected in the Moston and Harpurhey area.
This followed a similar announcement the previous week after the same strain was found in Moss Side and the surrounding area.
Based on the positive work carried out in the South of Manchester, the same level of resources will be sent to the North of the city.
From Friday, February 19, a second testing site will be open in Thorp Road, Moston (see Notes to Editors for exact location). This will be in addition to the initial testing site in Ebsworth Street set up on Wednesday, 17 February.
This site is a drive through and walk-up centre where people can get tested for Covid-19 seven days a week. No appointments are needed for the public to attend.
These Covid tests should be taken by everyone over 16-year-old living, working or studying in the area, even if they are not displaying symptoms. It is important to note that you should still get a test even if you have been vaccinated against Covid or have previously had a Covid test.
On top of the testing sites, members of the Council’s Neighbourhood Team will begin knocking on residents’ doors to inform them about the testing programme under way. They will also be able to support residents who need a home testing kit if they cannot leave their home, or do not feel comfortable travelling to a testing site.
If a resident does need to isolate as a result of a positive Covid-19 test support is available to them. Grants of up to £500 can be applied for if it is not financially possible for a person to isolate due to the needs of their job.
Additional help is also there for people who need access to food, medicine or with the payment of fuel bills.
Details for this type of support can be found through the Council's website.
For updates on testing in your area, visit www.manchester.gov.uk/covidtesting.
Updates on Area One (Moss Side Hulme, Fallowfield and Whalley Range)
Since the beginning of Enhanced Testing, thousands of people in Moss Side, Hulme, Walley Range and Fallowfield have come forward to take a Covid-19 test. It is essential that as many people as possible take part in this process to track any further spread of the Kent E484K variant.
During the period of Enhanced Testing in Moss Side around 3,000 tests have been administered to residents, with this figure expected to rise further. There have also been more than 6,000 visits made to residents in the area.
Every household in the area has received letters informing them about Enhanced Testing and, to support every community living in the affected area, these letters have been translated into 19 languages.
Volunteers from the local Alfurqan Mosque and Islamic Centre joined Neighbourhoods Officers on Friday (19) to make additional door knocking visits to any remaining residents who had not been seen.
Any resident who has not yet had a test is urged to visit one of the centres that remain open in the area.
The testing site at Moss Side Leisure Centre will remain open until Friday 26 February.
Other testing sites will begin to wind down their operation over the coming days, but, until that point they will remain open and available for people wanting to get a test.
The testing site at Our Lady’s RC Church, in Raby Street, will close at 5pm on Saturday February 20.
This will be followed by the site at The Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurdwara, in Monton Street, which will close at 5pm on Sunday 21 February.
For more information about Covid-19 visit the Council’s website at www.manchester.gov.uk/covid19.
Councillor Bev, Craig, Executive Member for Adult Health and Wellbeing, said: “In a year that has frequently called on people to go above and beyond the efforts we have seen both in south and north Manchester have been an example of just how strong our communities are.
“The detection of this variant of Covid in these areas required incredibly quick action on the ground from not only our local healthcare teams, but Neighbourhood officers as well as community volunteers. We know how valuable local links have been through the pandemic which is why we were so eager to harness community knowledge to reach everyone we possibly could.
“I also want to thank the thousands of people who came to get a test. It is not a pleasant month to be queuing for a test, but people have still braved the cold, rain and wind to do what is right for their own safety, and the safety of their communities.
“We had very positive feedback from our door knocking exercise, which left residents feeling informed and most importantly, involved in the process of protecting the public’s health.
“We are going to need the same dedication as we expand our work in Moston and Harpurhey. Our first week of testing has seen people enthusiastic to come forward to get a test, and I’m confident that willingness will continue over the coming weeks.”
David Regan, Manchester’s Director of Public Health, said: “The Enhanced Testing that was already taking please place in Moss Side and now Moston underlines the importance of taking rapid action to isolate new strains of Covid when they arise.
“The public have been incredibly receptive of the work that has been done, but we are always working to improve. I would like to remind any resident living in one of the affected areas to get themselves tested, even if they have received a Covid-19 vaccine, or have been tested in the past.
“Quick action will allow us to control the spread of the virus and ensure the safety of our communities.”
Notes to Editor
Location of the new Mobile Testing Unit in Moston
Mobile Testing Unit in Car Park
Thorp Road (just off the roundabout)
Moston
M40 5AG