Wirral Residents can now collect symptom-free COVID-19 test kits from more than 100 places across the borough to help keep themselves and their household safe.
Like many parts of the country, Wirral has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases over the past week and the borough is now seeing on average 14 cases a day, compared to two weeks ago when it was as low as two. More than 100 confirmed cases have been recorded in the past week and the 7-day case rate has risen to 30.9 per 100,000 people. The area is also seeing more cases of the new variant of COVID-19 first identified in India, than any other variants of the virus.
Around one in three people with the virus don’t show symptoms, so regular – twice-weekly is recommended – symptom-free testing can help to ensure infection is identified quickly and the onward spread of the virus is stopped in its tracks. Ahead of schools returning next week, parents and guardians are also being asked to ensure their children take a symptom-free COVID-19 test this weekend and if positive, to isolate immediately.
Residents can pick up a symptom-free rapid testing kit from the following collection points:
- Four central libraries (Birkenhead Central, Bebington Central, Wallasey Central and West Kirby).
- Six mobile testing units. Details of where they’ll be each day are posted on the Wirral Council website
. - Two symptom-free testing centres (The Floral Pavilion in New Brighton and the Former House of Fraser Building in Birkenhead).
- Five symptoms-only testing centres (Birkenhead x2, Bebington, Liscard and Heswall).
- Three Leisure Centres (Europa, Guinea Gap and West Kirby).
- More than 80 pharmacies across Wirral – Find your nearest pharmacy on the map .
- Families using four Children’s Centres (Birkenhead, Brassey Gardens, Bromborough and Seacombe) can also collect a testing kit.
Although most residents will have a collection point within walking distance of their home, anyone unable to pick one up can order a box of tests online 
or by calling tel. 119, and one will be delivered to their address. All testing kits are provided free-of-charge, whether they are collected in person or delivered to a home. Even if you have had your vaccine, it’s important to continue to get tested and follow all the guidance in place to control the virus and save lives.
Using the home test kits and reporting your results is straightforward and this short video by NHS Test and Trace explains what you need to do.
Instructions on how to use the home testing kit are also available in a range of different formats and languages on the gov.uk website .
More information on all of the ways you can access testing in Wirral is available at: wirral.gov.uk/test or you can call the Coronavirus Helpline on tel. 0151 666 5050.
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