Second asymptomatic test site opens in Thanet

Testing at Ramsgate Port Photo Karen Constantine

A second site for asymptomatic covid tests has opened in Thanet.

Rapid-result coronavirus (COVID-19) testing, available to anyone who lives or works in Thanet, is now available from The Centre in Alpha Road,  Birchington as well as at Ramsgate Port.

Opening hours are 9am to 7pm, Monday to Sunday.

The testing will find people who don’t currently have symptoms, who may be unknowingly spreading the virus in the community.

Kent County Council Director of Public Health, Andrew Scott-Clark said: “It’s important that as many people without symptoms come forward and book themselves regular tests so we can find people who may be unknowingly transmitting the virus either at home or at work.

“Remember, up to 1 in 3 people may have COVID-19 without any symptoms at all and with this new strain that is more transmissible, we need to identify those people and encourage them to isolate so we break the chain of transmission.

“My message to everyone across Kent is please keep following the tier 4 restrictions and limit your social interactions. It’s important to self-isolate, not only after receiving a positive test result but also while you wait for the results.”

Symptom-free testing sites are being rolled out across the county from today (January 4) to help try to reduce the rates of COVID-19.

You do not need to be invited to book a test. To book use this link: https://kcc.healthit.org.uk/

Symptom-free testing sites are being set up using funding from central government to support local councils in tier 4 to help reduce rates of COVID-19.

These sites are in addition to the regional and local testing sites for people who have symptoms, such as those at Manston and Margate.

If you have symptoms you should NOT attend the symptom-free testing sites but instead book a PCR test https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

9 Comments

  1. Of course some people on certain medications reduce the effects of the Virus also.

    Instead of sending people from Ramsgate to Minster: Broadstairs to Ramsgate: Margate to Broadstairs: Westgate and Birchington to ? : for the Vaccine. It appears to be very odd and could be difficult for some people to travel lets say from Ramsgate to Minster if they do not drive, are on limited means, and have to use busses. I’m not aware that there is a particularly frequent bus service. Even if you go you may have to wait 1 hour for your return journey.

    • What *are* you on about?
      These are *testing*, not *vaccination* centres.
      The Ramsgate centre is a few 100 yards from the Loop and route 9 bus stop, and has vast amounts of parking.
      The Birchington centre is a few hundred yards from a bus stop served by the 8, 8A and 34 routes.

  2. Does this mean that, if I am so inclined, and lived close enough to one of the Centres, I could, say, block book a test every day at about 4pm and then turn up when going home and , so , check if I am OK for the rest of the evening?
    Too good to be true, surely, if lots of people used the facility. After all, though we have various forms of lockdown , millions of people are still going to work, more or less as normal, so they could do worse than to get tested every day. Either after work, or first thing in the morning.
    We could soon work out where they got infected if we all had a daily test.

    • What’s not to like about the concept?
      Just as long as people who tested positive actually did self isolate (and reseahas shown that only 1 in 5 actually does)

  3. I would like to book a test for myself but have no photo ID. Can i use any other form of ID like birth cirtificate household bill etc?

    • No one checked any ID when I visited. They asked me for my name address, DOB and checked me off on their list (you have to book before online)
      Generally a very positive experience.

    • I have emailed KCC regarding this very point: Please advise on the following issues regarding booking a system free covid test. The only photo I’d I have is an expired British passport or KCC issued Free bus pass. Please confirm that this meets the criteria. Does the mobile phone has to be a “smart phone”.
      How would a person not meeting the published requirements request a symptom free covid test in Ramsgate.

      Reply (so far):
      Thank you for your email.

      I have forwarded your email to the Public Health department, in order that they can respond to your enquiry.
      For further information regarding this enquiry please contact the department directly, their contact number is 03000 41 41 41.
      Kind regards Jo
      Customer Service Advisor

  4. just been to “The Centre” one and it is very well organised I must say!
    Hardest bit was the NHS registration (which is what they want the smart-phone for as you have to use the QR scanner so that it grabs the unique barcode (similar to the gawd-damn awful registration number used on the home test kits).
    I was lucky and one of the ladys at the desk did the registration for me using her phone (didnt take my reading glasses with me :-). Would recommend the Birchington one having used it.

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