UPDATED:

Due to anticipated further demand, a second Mobile Testing Unit will be operating at the same site on Sunday and Monday.

This will increase capacity significantly. A decision will then be taken to see if there is still the demand for the second unit on the following days. The final day for appointments is Saturday 29 May.

Slots in Needham Market are now available to book on Gov.uk or by calling 119. Please book an appointment and wear a mask when attending.

Stuart Keeble, Director of Public Health at Suffolk County Council said: "It has been a sterling effort today – not only from staff at the testing site, but the number of people who came for a test.

"I'd like to thank them for helping us to track cases of COVID-19 in the area and ultimately breaking the chain of infection and keeping Suffolk safe."

*Original article.

Asymptomatic residents and workers have encouraged to get tested at new Mobile Testing Unit site at Needham Market fromtomorurow (Saturday 22 May) after an outbreak of the new variant of Covid was confirmed at nearby Wattisham Flying Station.

There have been 16 cases in Needham Market and surrounding area in the last two weeks, with 71 cases in the whole of Suffolk.

This is at a rate of 143.6 cases per 100,000 population, which is double the case rate of any other Middle layer Super Output Areas (MOSA) in Suffolk. Across Suffolk, this figure is 13.8 per 100,000, and 16.5 per 100,000 for the East of England.

A British Army spokesperson said: "We can confirm that we have had a number of personnel based at Wattisham Flying Station test positive for coronavirus. In accordance with Government guidelines they are self-isolating and contact tracing procedures have been followed. All military activity is guided by public health protocols on social distancing, hygiene and the use of PPE."

Stuart Keeble, Director of Public Health Suffolk, said: "I'd like to thank the staff at Wattisham Flying Station for their incredibly diligent work to clamp down on their cases so quickly, and to those personnel and their families who were asked to self-isolate, for doing so."

Four new cases of the variant first identified in India (B.1.617.2) have been identified in Suffolk, bringing the total to five known cases. Three of these new cases have been linked to the Needham Market area, and so local residents, who are not showing any COVID-19 symptoms are being encouraged to take a PCR test to help monitor any potential spread of the disease and help protect each other.

The mobile testing unit will be set up in Needham Market from 9am on Saturday 22 May at the former Mid Suffolk District Council building car park at 131 High Street, Needham Market, IP6 8DL (access via Hurstlea Road) Opening hours: Saturday 22 May to Saturday 29 May, 9am to 6pm.

Appointments must be booked in advance through the Gov.uk website or by calling 119

For anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, they should get their PCR test in the usual way at local testing centres or by ordering a home testing kit (details here).

Mr Keeble, added: "We are taking this swift action, as avery small number of cases ofthis variant of concern have beenfound in the Needham Market area. There is no need for people to be worried, but we do need to actstraight away and prevent the infection spreading further into the community.

"I am askingfor residents and workers in Needham Market, totake a PCR test forCOVID-19as soon as possible.Otherwise please keep following the national guidance, washing your hands regularly, wearing a face mask, social distancing as necessary, opening up windows when people from other households visit and take up your vaccination when offered it."

"By getting your test, youwill be helping ustounderstand more about potential spread of this this variant of the virus,and limit any potential spreadtoprotect yourself and your loved ones."

The remaining new case of the variant first identified in India (B.1.617.2), has been identified in the Newmarket area. At the moment this is being treated as a solitary case, but Public Health Suffolk will continue to monitor the situation closely.