Mobile testing unit opens in Hastings as sharp increase in Covid-19 cases continues

A mobile testing unit has opened in Hastings as case numbers continue to rise across the area.
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The Covid-19 testing facility is in Pelham Place car park and will be there today (Thursday, December 10) and tomorrow (Friday, December 11).

It has been opened to make it easier for residents to get a test after a sharp increase in cases in recent days.

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In the past seven days, Hastings has recorded 165 cases which has taken the rate of infection per 100,000 people to 178.1. Just six days ago, the rate was 69 per 100,000 people. Last week, Hastings recorded just 65 cases of Covid-19.

Mobile Covid testing station in Pelham Place car park, Hastings. SUS-201012-102138001Mobile Covid testing station in Pelham Place car park, Hastings. SUS-201012-102138001
Mobile Covid testing station in Pelham Place car park, Hastings. SUS-201012-102138001

On Tuesday, Hastings and Rye MP Sally-Ann Hart said the latest numbers suggested Hastings and Rother were ‘teetering towards tier 3’ restrictions which are due to be update on December 16. East Sussex is currently in tier 2.

In Rother, 157 cases have been reported in the past week, taking the rate of infection to 163.4 per 100,000 people.

Hastings and Rother have the two highest rates on infection across both East and West Sussex.

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The latest figures have caused Darrell Gale, East Sussex County Council’s director of public health, to urge residents to reconsider family gatherings this Christmas, in a bid to help stop the spread of the virus.

Mobile Covid testing station in Pelham Place car park, Hastings. SUS-201012-102123001Mobile Covid testing station in Pelham Place car park, Hastings. SUS-201012-102123001
Mobile Covid testing station in Pelham Place car park, Hastings. SUS-201012-102123001

A number of schools locally have reported Covid-19 cases, with thousands of students isolating after coming into close contact with people have since tested positive.

On Thursday, Baird Primary Academy, in Hastings, became the latest to close to all year groups due to Covid-19. Those pupils will not return until the new year.

How to book a test

Tests can be booked online from 6pm on the evening before. Once you have made an appointment you will be given details of how to get to the testing site. The site will be for drive-through and walk-through and by appointment only.

The mobile testing unit is in addition to the walk through local testing site at the former Helenswood Academy upper school site.