Surge testing announced by Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils

Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils have announced they will begin surge testing on Monday.

This is in response to fears of the spread of the so-called Delta variant in the boroughs neighbouring West Berkshire, with Reading reporting the highest numbers of coronavirus cases in Berkshire, as well as the highest infection rate.

Everybody over the age of 12 in specified communities and postcode areas will be able to obtain a test at centres set up across both boroughs.

The eligible postcodes for Reading residents are RG1 3, RG1 5, RG1 6 and RG1 7.

For Wokingham, the areas are Bulmershe and Whitegates, Evendons, Norreys and Wescott.

The testing sites and opening hours are:

• Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road, Reading, between 2pm and 8pm. Booking not required.
• University of Reading, London Road, between 2pm and 8pm. Booking not required.
• University of Reading, Car Park 7, RG6 6DR, between noon and 6pm. Booking not required.
• Thames Valley Park and Ride, Earley, RG6 1PQ, 7.30am to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 8.30pm. Booking not required.
• Cantley Park Event Field, Twyford Road, Wokingham, RG40 5TU, between noon and 6pm. Booking not required.
• Lidl, 6 Headley Road, Reading, RG5 4JA, between midday and 6pm. Booking not required.
• Microsoft Campus, Thames Valley Business Park, Reading, between 8am and 8pm (closed on Sundays). Booking not required.
• Sindlesham Court, Sindlesham, RG41 5EA, between 8am and 8pm. Booking not required.

The director of public health for Berkshire West, Meradin Peachey, said: "While there is no evidence that the variant causes more severe illness, it remains important that as many people as possible living in the RG1 3, RG1 5, RG1 6 and RG1 7 postcode areas complete the tests.

"We have no way of knowing how many – if any – of the variant cases there are in the area unless these tests are carried out.

"Whilst precautionary, the more completed tests we get, the more chance we have of preventing this variant spreading further.

"Whether or not you have any symptoms, and whether or not you have had one or even two vaccine jabs, we still need residents to complete the tests when asked to do so."