Health bosses have told the people not to turn up to new NHS testing centres as officials begin to target frontline staff who are symptomatic.
Testing stations have been opened at Yarborough Leisure Centre in Lincoln, and the Princess Royal Sports Arena in Boston.
Tony McGinty, assistant director of public health at Lincolnshire County Council, urged people to stay away from the centres.
“People should not show up to the centre, they won’t be tested and will be turned away,” he told Local Democracy Reporters.
“Staff will be invited personally and people showing up would cause congestion for staff trying to run them.”
Tony McGinty, assistant director of public health at Lincolnshire County Council. Photo: The Lincolnite
He urged people with symptoms to follow the isolation advice and use the 111 service with any concerns, or 999 in an emergency.
More testing stations could be set up in the future.
Both centres are now open to NHS employees and are looking to test around 80 members of staff and those they live or are quarantined with per day across both sites.
The drive-thru centres will initially focus on intensive care, emergency department and ambulance staff currently isolating at home for the 14-day period because a family member has symptoms.
Dozens of workers were on site on Monday to prepare the coronavirus testing facility in Lincoln for NHS staff. Photo: Georgina M
Staff will be invited personally to take a test, meaning it is a targeted scheme at people who are feeling symptomatic and isolating.
The exam consists of a swab test and takes around 48 hours to be completed.
Staff will get a phone call from their employer informing them of the result and whether they can return to work.
Added to normal sickness levels, the pandemic had pushed the number of NHS staff absences at Lincolnshire’s hospitals to around 11% of the workforce
SUBSCRIBE TO LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEKLY, our exclusive email newsletter with highlights from coverage every week, as well as insights and analysis from our local democracy reporters.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
Exciting news for MyLocal app users and The Lincolnite readers! Our latest update is now available to download from your app store and comes packed with the best local news experience you can enjoy.
Revamped News Feed: Enjoy faster loading times and smoother scrolling that make catching up on local news a breeze.
New Play Video Feed: Dive into a dynamic video feed that brings local stories to life in a whole new way.
Enhanced In-App Browser: Access external links quickly and efficiently, right from the app, without any distractions.
Update your MyLocal app from your app store (version 2.73) now and start enjoying these great new features today!
P.S.: Start your MyLocal membership today to support MyLocal and The Lincolnite deliver you a better local news experience and honest journalism from across Lincolnshire.
P.P.S.: We have some huge things in the pipeline, stay tuned!
Exciting news for MyLocal app users and The Lincolnite readers! Our latest update is now available to download from your app store and comes packed with the best local news experience you can enjoy.
Revamped News Feed: Enjoy faster loading times and smoother scrolling that make catching up on local news a breeze.
New Play Video Feed: Dive into a dynamic video feed that brings local stories to life in a whole new way.
Enhanced In-App Browser: Access external links quickly and efficiently, right from the app, without any distractions.
Update your MyLocal app from your app store (version 2.73) now and start enjoying these great new features today!
P.S.: Start your MyLocal membership today to support MyLocal and The Lincolnite deliver you a better local news experience and honest journalism from across Lincolnshire.
P.P.S.: We have some huge things in the pipeline, stay tuned!