News reports located on this page = 2.

New drive through testing site opened on Liverpool

A new drive through Coronavirus testing facility has opened for those with symptoms to book appointments at the:- Heath Road, South Car Park, part of The Heath Business and Technical Park, Runcorn, WA7 4QQ, in Liverpool as part of the Government's UK wide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of Coronavirus testing for local communities.

Testing is only available for those with Coronavirus symptoms; a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test at:- NHS.UK/Coronavirus or by calling:- 119. The Government is committed to continue expanding the capacity of the network of UK test sites and laboratories to make it even easier to get tested and reduce the time it takes to receive test results.

Testing at the new site started on Wednesday, 4 November 2020, with appointments made available each day and additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

The site is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history which has the capacity to process more than 500,000 tests a day and includes more than 600 sites across the UK, including 79 drive-through sites, 271 walk-through sites, 258 mobile units, home testing and satellite kits and five Lighthouse laboratories.

Anyone testing positive for the virus in England will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them trace their contacts. This will help to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission.

Close contacts of those testing positive will also hear from NHS Test and Trace, asking them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus. They will be advised to also book a test if they develop symptoms.

Health Minister Lord Bethell said:- "To respond to the Coronavirus, we have built a major testing and tracing system from scratch. We are constantly working to expand and improve it with new technologies and innovations so everyone with symptoms can get a test. New walk-in sites like this one makes it even easier to get a test no matter where you live. If you have symptoms of Coronavirus, I urge you to book a test today and follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace if you are contacted to protect others and stop the spread of the virus."

Baroness Dido Harding, Interim Executive Chair of the National Institute for Health Protection, said:- "Walk through sites offer communities better access to Coronavirus testing, so everyone with symptoms can get a test. This new site is part of our ongoing work to expand our testing network across the UK which is now has the capacity to process more than 500,000 tests a day. We will continue to expand capacity to improve test turnaround times and push forward testing innovations to make sure anyone who needs a test can get 1. Please book a test if you have Coronavirus symptoms: a new continuous cough, a high temperature and a loss or change in sense of smell or taste, and follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace if you are contacted."

The Testing Centre is being operated in partnership with Levy and will offer assisted and self administered tests.

Morrisons to introduce service to deed self isolating School kids!

THE UK supermarket chain, Morrisons, has launched a new meal delivery service for Schools that are feeding primary School children who are having to self isolate. The supermarket is working with Schools to provide kids who would normally be eligible for free School meals with breakfast, lunch and snacks, seven days a week; for as long as they are self isolating. Many School children are being asked to self isolate due to suspected or confirmed Covid19 cases within their School bubbles.

In recent weeks, Schools have told Morrisons they had been struggling with the costs of food and delivery. They had also expressed concern some pupils were missing out on vital support as a result of self isolating. 

The Morrisons Kids Meal Pack was produced by Morrisons after reaching out to Schools to establish their needs. It aims to provide healthy and balanced meals and has been developed in partnership with Morrisons company nutritionist.

The Morrisons Kids Meal Pack includes:- cereal, milk, bread, fruit, yoghurts, sandwich fillings, pasta and squash. It costs ₤12.50 for one child and provides breakfast, lunch and snacks for seven days a week. The cost is covered by the School as part of the Government's free School meals programme.

Schools can order the Morrisons Kids Meal Pack directly from the Morrisons Doorstep Delivery Team. Orders are then picked and packed by local Morrisons stores, and sent to children's homes via its 'doorstep delivery' service. This saves the School time and costly transportation fees.

Nicole Olive from the Morrisons Local Team said:- "Each of our stores is close to its local community to listen hard and understand its needs and Schools were saying they had difficulty getting free School meals to isolating children. We can put affordable and nutritious food on the table during this difficult time."

Paula Duckworth, Head Teacher, at Lammack Primary School, where the scheme was trialled said:- "We were struggling to provide children eligible for free School meals with healthy and cost-effective food while they were self isolating. So I was thankful to be contacted by Morrisons to see if this was something they could help with. The Morrisons Kids Meal Pack service has been such a lifeline for our kids."

The Morrisons Kids Meal Pack is available nationwide now. To place orders, School should email Morrisons Doorstep Delivery Team on:- SchoolBox@MorrisonsPlc.Co.UK.