People who live or work in Tameside are continuing to be urged to be tested for Covid-19 twice a week, amid rising infection rates in the borough. 

The latest infection rate in Tameside is 214.6 cases per 100,000 people, according to Public Health England data, with the Delta variant which first originated in India now making up more than 90 per cent of new cases across the borough. 

Rapid Covid home testing kits can now be collected from any of Tameside's eight libraries - in Ashton, Hattersley, Hyde, Denton, Droylsden, Mossley, Dukinfield and Stalybridge. Opening times can be found here: https://www.tameside.gov.uk/libraries/Covid19#OpenLibs. 

They can also be picked up from the Darnton Road car park in Ashton or Beeley Street car park in Hyde every day from 8am to 8pm. 

Meanwhile, Dukinfield Town Hall is open on Thursday (24 June) and Friday (25 June) from 7am to 5pm for anyone who doesn't have any Covid symptoms to get a lateral flow test, without the need for an appointment. Rapid home testing kits can also be collected from the site, which can be accessed via the Chapel Street entrance. 

To carry out a test at home, you can also order kits. Find out more here: www.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/order-lateral-flow-kits/restart. 

Anyone who has symptoms such as a fever, new continuous cough or loss or change of taste or smell must book a PCR test. More information can be found at www.tameside.gov.uk/coronavirus/testing. 

Play your part to help stop the spread 

Tameside, along with the rest of Greater Manchester, has been announced by the government as an area to receive strengthened support to control the spread of the Delta variant.

Residents are being urged to play their part by taking the following action and encouraging others to do the same:

• Get vaccinated when eligible
• Get tested even if you don't have symptoms and even if you have had one or two doses of the vaccine.
• Self-isolate if positive and if eligible access the available financial support to help you do this.
• Work from home if you can
• Be cautious when meeting others who are not in your household
• Socialise outdoors
• Minimise travel

People are also being reminded to follow the effective basic measures of washing hands, wearing face coverings, socially distancing and letting in fresh air.

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