Enhanced testing for parts of Leeds to tackle rise in COVID-19 cases

Parts of Leeds experiencing a sharp rise in cases of COVID-19 will be offered an enhanced programme of community testing next week to help Leeds stay safe over the summer.

From Tuesday [June 22] residents in the Hyde Park and Headingley, and Little London and Woodhouse areas who are not experiencing symptoms will be encouraged to get a free PCR test at new pop-up testing centres located at Cinder Moor on Woodhouse Lane, the Gryphon Centre at The University of Leeds and the Mandela Community Centre on Chapeltown Road.

And ahead of the testing, everyone eligible for a vaccine across Leeds is also being urged to get their jab as soon as they can, with appointments now open to everyone over 18.

Next week, council officers carrying photo ID will be visiting the parts of both areas where cases have been particularly high, explaining the testing process, answering any questions and giving residents of all ages the chance to take a test at home.

People will be reminded to enjoy summer safely by sticking to the rule of six indoors when meeting friends, letting in plenty of fresh air and watching fixtures at the Euros responsibly and in line with government guidance. Socialising outdoors, in line with government guidance, also reduces the risk of spread.

The enhanced testing and messaging comes amid a steep rise in cases of COVID-19 in both communities, with Headingley and Hyde Park having a case rate of 841.3 per 100,000 people and Little London and Woodhouse’s case rate standing at around 337 per 100,000 people.

That is significantly higher than Leeds’s overall case rate, which is currently 161.3 per 100,000, an increase of more than 91 per cent in the past seven days.

Cases in both areas are particularly high among 18-24 year-olds, who are mostly unvaccinated and who may have been seeing friends and socialising more in recent weeks.

While hospitalisations and deaths in Leeds remain low, cases among over 60s have shown some increase over the past few weeks, with a current over 60s case rate of 17.4 per 100,000.

The enhanced testing programme is aimed at breaking the chain of infection between age groups and ensuring asymptomatic cases can be traced, treated and isolated before the virus has the chance spread.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for public health and active lifestyles, said: “With this enhanced testing programme, we’re using every tool at our disposal to try and turn the tide of rising cases in both these areas- but we can’t do it alone.

“We know that with the Euros and the recent sunshine, this is an exciting time to get out and about for everyone who has missed seeing their friends and loved ones. But we need people living in Headingley and Hyde Park and Little London and Woodhouse to work with us, get a test and help us identify where these COVID cases are so together we can stop the spread and ensure Leeds can carry on enjoying a safe summer.

“By doing so, they will be not only protecting themselves and those close to them, but also those living in their communities who might be particularly vulnerable to the effects of this dreadful virus.”

The rise in overall cases in Leeds is consistent with other cities, where recent changes to restrictions have meant more social contact and where the Delta COVID variant, which is considerably more transmissible, has become dominant. As a result, cases are expected to continue to rise over the coming weeks.

Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s director of Public Health, said: “We are doing everything we can to address the increasing cases, working closely with communities and our local and national partners to prevent and respond to any outbreaks and rising rates.

“Enhanced testing in areas where we are seeing particularly high numbers of cases gives us a chance to break the chain of infection among those who haven’t had a vaccine and hopefully ensure these higher cases do not translate to increased hospitalisations and deaths in Leeds.

“The vaccine still represents our best chance of beating COVID-19 and thanks to all our efforts, more than 500,000 people in Leeds have now been vaccinated. We’d ask that everyone continues to follow the rules and gets their vaccine as soon as they can so we can beat the virus and have a safe summer.”

People in Leeds can also continue playing their part in keeping virus figures down by following the guidance in each individual setting and remembering:

• Contact outdoors is much safer as it this reduces the risk of breathing in infected particles and disperses the virus more easily.
• Continue to wear face coverings when required and maintain social distancing whenever you’re out.
• Get a test and isolate if needed from the community testing sites around the city. Find out where to get a test at: https://www.leedsccg.nhs.uk/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-where-to-go-for-testing/
• Wash your hands regularly.
• Get a vaccine when called and continue to follow the rules even if you’ve had the vaccine.
• People aged 50 and over or who have a long term condition or suppressed immune system get vaccinated and ensure you get their second jab so they have the maximum level of protection.
• If you are over 18, you can now get your vaccine. Book via the National Booking System https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or by calling 119.

For full details of current COVID-19 restrictions can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do#may-whats-changed

More information on how and where to get test in Leeds can be found at: https://www.leedsccg.nhs.uk/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-where-to-go-for-testing/

For the latest on Leeds City Council services, please visit: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus/our-services

ENDS