Last updated: 13 August 2020
Information for all Wirral residents or employees of Wirral businesses
A dedicated Local Testing Co-ordination team is co-ordinating bookings for Coronavirus testing for all Wirral residents or employees of Wirral Businesses who are symptomatic.
We will continue to prioritise appointments for NHS health and social care essential workers, and any of their symptomatic household members.
There is a limit of 150 tests per day at present. If demand is exceeded you will be redirected to other Satellite, Mobile or Regional Testing Sites.
Wirral satellite testing site
Covid-19 testing is now available at the Wirral Satellite Testing Centre, based at Bidston station park and ride. This is open seven days a week, by appointment only. It is for all Wirral residents or employees of Wirral businesses who are showing Covid-19 symptoms. Please read criteria below to see if you are eligible for testing.
Book a test at a satellite site
Mobile testing unit
In addition to satellite sites, the mobile Covid-19 testing unit is operating at the following sites in Wirral:
- Prenton Park (Tranmere Rovers Football Club) from Thursday 13 to Saturday 15 August, by appointment only
- West Kirby Concourse on Sunday 16 August, by appointment only
- Europa Leisure Centre, Birkenhead on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 August, by appointment only
View further information on how to book a test.
Criteria for testing
The following groups are eligible for testing at the Wirral Satellite Testing Centre:
- health and social care key workers (with or without symptoms), or symptomatic family members. Also someone who lives with a key worker and is causing them to self-isolate until COVID-19 can be ruled out. This group has priority for testing.
- all other Wirral residents or employees of Wirral businesses (with symptoms) or symptomatic household members causing a key worker to self-isolate
- education staff (including all staff that work in schools) and children returning to school (over 2) with symptoms
- over 65s with symptoms
Testing should be in the first five days of the onset of COVID-19 symptoms (fever or new and persistent cough) or loss of or change to your sense of smell or taste.
No testing should be undertaken after day five, unless it’s for a specific reason agreed on a case-by-case basis by local microbiologists.
Everyone over the age of two who is showing symptoms can be tested at the Satellite Testing sites. These swabs will need to be taken by the parent or guardian.
The main symptoms of Coronavirus are updated at nhs.uk/coronavirus. It is critical that only eligible individuals are sent to test centres for COVID-19 testing. This is to ensure value of the test itself, and to ensure that all tests are being used to help get key workers who are isolating back to work.
It is critical that only eligible individuals are sent to test centres for COVID-19 testing. This is to ensure value of the test itself, and to ensure that all tests are being used to help get key workers who are isolating back to work.
What happens next?
Wirral’s Local Testing Co-ordinating Team will contact key workers using the details provided to confirm their eligibility for a test, as well as date, time and site for test appointment. You will then receive an email confirmation of a test appointment.
Individuals must attend at the specified date and time with photographic ID and their email confirmation. Only individuals with all this information will be accepted for testing.
When will I receive my results?
Individuals will receive their results by text message on the mobile number or email you have provided as soon as they are ready. This may take up to 72 hours.
Regional testing
Wirral residents or employees of Wirral Businesses not covered by the satellite options may be able to access regional testing centres in Manchester and Haydock. Individuals who meet the Government’s criteria can self-refer for a test.
For more information visit Gov.uk/coronavirus
Book a test at a regional centre
Who has access to this information?
This testing has been commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), who is the data controller for data protection purposes.
Any personal data will be retained in accordance with the Records Management Code of Practice for Health and Social Care 2016.
All personal data will be stored and processed in the UK. Fully anonymous data, for example, statistical data (which does not allow you to be identified) may be stored and processed outside of the UK.
If you have any queries
All testing communications will be sent from covid19testing@wirral.gov.uk. Please use this email address if you have any queries about the testing process.