A DRIVE-THROUGH coronavirus testing facility has opened in Newbury as part of the governments UK-wide drive to increase testing.

The testing facility is at the Newbury Showground in Newbury and testing at the site started at the weekend.

The government is urging anyone experiencing a new, continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss of or change in their normal sense of smell or taste, to book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119 to find out if they currently have coronavirus.

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The site sits alongside the existing network of testing sites being set up around the UK.

To increase testing for everyone with symptoms across the country, the government has more than doubled the capacity of the NHS/PHE laboratory network, set up 64 regional test centres and 116 mobile testing units, and introduced home testing kits.

The government said anyone testing positive for the virus will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them track their contacts.

This will help people to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission.

Health Minister Lord Bethell said: “The government continues to rapidly scale up the national effort to boost testing capacity for coronavirus to protect the vulnerable, support our NHS, and ultimately save lives.

“This is a national effort and we are proud to be working with a number of partners to turn this ambition into a reality and roll out additional capacity to where it is needed.

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“Anyone experiencing symptoms of coronavirus should stay at home and book a test.”

The testing centre is being operated in partnership with Mitie and will offer assisted and self-administered tests. Those tested will receive their results within a few days.

Alison Brown, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Newbury and District Agricultural Society, said: “Everyone connected with the Newbury and District Agricultural Society is pleased and proud to have our Showground used in such an important way. Testing is so important for the community and nation.”

In addition to the regional test sites, 116 mobile testing units operated by the Armed Forces travel around the UK to further increase access to coronavirus testing.

They respond to need, travelling to test at sites including care homes, police stations and prisons.

New units are being brought into operation each day.

The government has set up a home-testing service, supported by Amazon's logistics network and other commercial partners. Home test kits can be delivered to someone’s door so they can test themselves and their family without leaving the house.