The pop-up testing site will be based at The Hub Dannevirke Christian Fellowship carpark, on the corner of Allardice and Denmark streets, on Tuesday 8 September from 11am to 6pm. The site will provide both walk in and drive in testing.
This follows a successful day of community testing in Levin on Tuesday, 1 September, where 343 people received a free COVID-19 swab. All of those swabbed tested negative for COVID-19.
The pop up testing is primarily for people without cold or flu symptoms but MidCentral DHB Medical Officer of Health Dr Robert Weir encouraged anyone, to drop in for a free test.
“The strong turnout at the testing site at Levin shows us that people are, understandably, still feeling nervousabout COVID-19, particularly since its re-emergence in the Auckland region. The community testing we’re doing is designed to offer additional reassurance that we remain COVID-19-free, and we want to do all we can to confirm this.
“We would like to see people, whether they have symptoms or not, coming to the Dannevirke pop-up site on Tuesday. In particular, we’d strongly encourage those who are at greater risk of poor health outcomes if they were to contract COVID-19 to get a test.”
This includes Māori and Pasifika people, those aged over 65, as well as members of the community who live with a chronic illness, such as respiratory disease, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
For anyone experiencing cold or flu symptoms, testing is still available at general practices throughout the MidCentral DHB region and the designated testing centre at 575 Main Street in Palmerston North, seven days a week. “If you believe you need a test, please call Healthline or a GP team to arrange one,” Dr Weir said.
COVID-19 symptoms include: coughing, high temperature (at least 38˚C), shortness of breath, sore throat, sneezing and runny nose or temporary loss of smell.