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14
Apr 2021
Collect coronavirus tests at 25 pharmacies in Harrogate district
Twenty-five pharmacies in the Harrogate district have signed up to become collection points for coronavirus tests and more are expected to come on stream in the coming days.
Rapid lateral flow tests are now freely available for people who do not have covid symptoms as part of government attempts to control the spread of the virus.
The NHS map showing collection points has 14 sites in Harrogate, five in Knaresborough, three in Ripon and one in Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham respectively.
It is a major improvement since the initiative began on Friday when only a single pharmacy in Knaresborough was signed up to the scheme.
Such sites enable people to take rapid lateral flow tests twice a week. If someone tests positive they then need to take a more accurate PCR test.
Public health officials hope the pharmacies and a mobile testing unit will plug a potential gap in collection points, which could be left when the Dragon Road testing site in Harrogate closes on June 1.
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Health officials told a coronavirus press briefing today that they are still working with Harrogate Borough Council to find a replacement site for PCR testing.
As well as pharmacies and testing sites, people can also order tests to be sent to their homes, or get tests through work or school.
Dr Victoria Turner, a public health consultant, told today's press briefing of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum:
Richard Webb, director of health and adult services at North Yorkshire County Council, also said:
Harrogate District Hospital currently has just five coronavirus patients but recently reported its first covid death in nearly two weeks.
The seven-day average rate of infection now stands at 16 per 100,000 people in the district. The North Yorkshire seven-day rate is 21 and the England average is 36.
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