Watch - Vital Public Health Messages as Surge Testing Continues

People who live, work or study in the areas of Cauldwell, Kingsbrook, Queens Park and Wixams are being strongly encouraged to take a Coronavirus PCR test this week.

Over 1,500 people have already taken a PCR test as part of surge testing which began in Bedford Borough last week to tackle rising cases related to a variant of concern first identified in India.

With cases in Bedford Borough still rising and with the third highest Coronavirus rate in the country, it's really important that everyone- adults and children- who lives, works or studies in these areas takes a PCR test.

That was the message from Councillor Jake Sampson and Suzie Sampson in this BSL Video you can watch here, and from Kingsbrook Ward Cllr Dean Crofts in this video he recorded after going to get a PCR test himself.

Mayor Dave Hodgson has also recorded this video encouraging people in Cauldwell, Kingsbrook, Queens Park and Wixams to take a PCR test.

Surge testing of people without symptoms in these areas will help to identify more cases and break chains of transmission. The PCR tests provide a result within 2 days and will allow public health experts to track the local spread of the variant of concern. People without symptoms who take a test as part of surge testing do not need to isolate while they wait for the result, unless they've been asked to isolate for another reason.

Until Friday 28 May, Mobile Testing Units are available at:

Oasis Beach Pool, Cardington Road, MK42 0BZ (8am to 6pm)
John Bunyan Sports and Fitness, Mile Road, MK42 9TS (8am to 6pm)
Enterprise House, Old Ford End Road, MK40 4PF (8am to 5pm)
Seasons Garden Centre, Bedford Road, Wixams, MK45 3HU (8.30am to 6pm)

These units accept people in cars and on foot, and no appointment is necessary.

Collect and drop off points are available for those who prefer to test at home:

London Road Surgery (see photos from the site from Kingsbrook Ward Cllr Patrick Solomon, here)

Morrisons car park on Ampthill Road (please note this replaced Cauldwell Community Centre)

Queens Park Community Centre

Lakeview Village Hall in Wixams