CALL FOR FULL-TIME COVID TEST CENTRE TO BE ESTABLISHED AS "MATTER OF URGENCY"

                                                       

Matthew Patrick - risk of spike

WITH cases of Covid-19 showing a worrying increase in North East Lincolnshire, a call has come for a permanent test centre to be set up within the borough.

It has come from the leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Matthew Patrick, and colleague Cllr Marie Green on the back of news that the area currently  has 267 cases - up by 19 over the past 10 days.

They are urging the council's administration  to press Whitehall " as a matter of urgency" for the establishment of a permanent full-time testing site within the boundaries of North East Lincolnshire as soon as is practically possible

Assuming it is established, they want the facility  to operate as long as the Covid crisis continues.

The duo state: "In North East Lincolnshire, we are  highly vulnerable, owing to such issues as a high proportion of older residents, some with underlying health issues, and many workers employed in  food production."

Although there is a testing centre on Duchess Street in Grimsby, it is not available every day.

The nearest, full-time permanent testing site for Covid  is in Hessle, near Hull, at least a 50-mile round trip by car. 

The councillors add: "This distance increases and is more expensive for those who do not have access to a vehicle, therefore acting as a deterrent against testing, increasing the risk of a spike in transmissions in our area."

Their comments are due to be discussed at a full meeting of the council this evening.

                                       

Marie Green - area highly vulnerable