People who live in Dudley borough are being invited to take a Covid-19 test if they are feeling unwell, even if they are not displaying the three key symptoms.

Dudley borough is one of a growing number of areas where is it also recommended that people with other symptoms seek a covid-19 test to help slow the spread of the virus. Anyone with the main three symptoms of Covid-19; a new, continuous cough, a high temperature and / or a loss or change to sense of smell, must isolate immediately and seek a test under national guidance.

Any adult who lives or works in the borough who has a headache, aches and pains, feeling very tired for no good reason, a sore throat, a runny nose or sneezing episodes can now be tested. Children with upset stomachs or tummy ache can also be tested.

Test centres for anyone displaying the main three symptoms, as well as the additional symptoms listed, are available at a number of locations in Dudley borough. Drive through tests are available at the Waterfront in Brierley Hill and walk through tests can be undertaken at Studley Gate car park next to Swanpool Park in Stourbridge, Flood Street car park in Dudley, and Jackson Street in Lye.

Further details can be found at dudley.gov.uk/coronavirus and all tests must be booked in advance. Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said:

"We are continuing to fight the pandemic and I would like to thank everyone who lives and works in Dudley for continuing to play their part.

"The national guidance surrounding the three main Covid-19 symptoms remains unaltered, but we know some people never display these and we are inviting people with other symptoms such as a sore throat, a cold or a headache to seek a test.

"All residents should continue to act like they or anyone else could have it. We must all stay at home to save lives and practise hands, face, space whenever we need to leave our homes."

Lateral flow tests for people who are completely symptom free are also available at Dudley Leisure Centre, Saltwells Education Centre and 30 pharmacies in the borough. Anyone feeling unwell, however mild their symptoms, should not pursue a lateral flow test.

In order to qualify for a symptom free test a person must be a key worker who lives or works in the borough who have a public facing role but are unable to get a lateral flow test through their employer and for those in contact with people who are vulnerable such as shop workers, taxi drivers and those providing support in the voluntary sector.

People who live or work in the borough and cannot follow the ‘stay at home’ directive for one of the permitted reasons can also seek a test. Tests can be booked online and people will get these results in 20 to 30 minutes.

Anyone who has a positive test must self-isolate immediately and follow the advice given by the local contact tracing team or the national test and trace service. It is vital that people identify contacts to help stop the spread of the virus.

Anyone who has had a confirmed positive result for COVID must not book a symptom free test until after 90 days from the date of the positive result.
For more information on Dudley borough test sites visit dudley.gov.uk/coronavirustesting.