Second phase of community testing programme starts in Bridgend area

THE second phase of the community testing programme in Bridgend county borough has started.

Over the next three weeks, residents will be able to take advantage of the free community testing facilities at three different centres.

Anyone who lives, works or studies in the county borough can now get tested at the centres. This also includes anyone visiting the county borough.

Information is available on the community testing page at www.bridgend.gov.uk

The community testing, which is designed to identify people who may have coronavirus without knowing it, is aimed at people aged 11 and over who are not already exhibiting symptoms of the virus.

It is helping to prevent asymptomatic people from unwittingly spreading the virus to their family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues and more.

Because it is possible for people who have been vaccinated to still carry the virus, the testing includes residents who may have already undergone a test or who have received a dose of the vaccine.

To speed up the registration process, people can also download a Covid-19 QR code app by visiting the Covid-19 webpage (External link – Opens in a new tab or window) (External link – Opens in a new tab or window) at the NHS website.

The walk-in centres where the community testing will be carried out will be available between 9.30 am–6.30 pm Monday to Friday, and 10 am-4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The locations are as follows:

Ogmore Vale: Testing will take place at the Ogmore Valley Life Centre, Aber Road, Ogmore Vale CF32 7AJ, from Wednesday 7 April to Tuesday 13 April.

Bridgend: Testing will take place at the Evergreen Hall, Angel Street, Bridgend CF31 4AD from Wednesday 14 April to Tuesday 20 April.

Porthcawl: Testing will take place at the Awel-Y-Mor Community Centre, Hutchwns Terrace, Porthcawl CF36 5TP from Wednesday 21 April to Wednesday 28 April.

At the centres, staff will show people to booths where they can carry out a swab test. Each swab is processed upon the premises, and participants will be contacted with the results within 30 minutes.

If a positive result is recorded, the participant will be asked to self-isolate while arrangements are made for them to receive a confirmatory test along with further advice and support.