More Covid testing centres to open in Milton Keynes as council leader delivers new warning to local people

Council leader Pete Marland warned today: "There is no room for complacency... The reality is very simple. People are still catching Covid-19. Infection rates are down but it has not gone away.

"There is no immunity. The infection rate is being controlled by the social distancing and infection control measures that are in place."

"The number of deaths and serious cases is low because we’ve kept the infection rate down. While the overall number of serious cases is small, people not be willing to take a risk with the life of a close family member. Your mum or dad. Grandma or grandad. A child with a disability or a vulnerable adult. Or even yourself."

The new testing stations will be in Bletchley, Wolverton and the woughton area of MK. The opening dates will be revealed shortly. It is hoped they will encourage more people who could be 'silent spreaders' to take a test and self-isolate.

Currently there is just one testing facility available, the drive-thru centre at CMK.

Cases in MK have continued to rise over the past week. The number of cases is currently 9.6 per one hundred thousand population. For comparison Luton’s current case rate is 13.1 and Bedford’s is 11.5 per one hundred thousand.

Pete said: "The rate of 9.6 per one hundred thousand is an increase from last week and continues the trend of small but rising infection rates. While the overall numbers are still low they are higher than we would like."

He added: "Shops, businesses, high streets, pubs and leisure facilities have been able to reopen because most people are following the rules. Our economy is depending on that Continuing. Our hospital and other NHS service need to be able to return to dealing with people who have other illnesses. They won’t be able to do that if more people start getting sick again.

"If more people in the community have Covid-19 there is more risk they will pass it on and numbers rise very quickly. This is the way a virus spreads and cases rise. If that happens quickly, as it has in other places, then the likelihood of returning to lockdown restrictions also increases.

"So the best way to prevent more cases, bring down our infection rate, stop people getting sick and keep our economy open is to follow Covid-19 prevention measures. They are the new normal and they are not an option.

"Many are not hard or difficult, while others are more challenging. But we do need to adapt. Wear a mask in most public places such as shops and on public transport. Stay 2m apart from people if you can. Wash your hands on a regular basis. Do not gather in large indoor groups with more people than allowed. If you have symptoms stay home and get tested or if you are asked to do so by test and trace. You must self-isolate for 10 days from the start of your symptoms or your positive test.

"Currently the best and fastest way to access a test is from the drive-thru regional testing facility based here in Milton Keynes, which you can book on-line. While home testing kits are helpful, there is currently a delay in them being dispatched and the processing of results.

"Over the next few weeks we will also be establishing some local testing centres across Milton Keynes and I will share more details of those soon."

Milton Keynes Council has therefore established a single point of contact for people with concerns about how businesses, venues or workplaces are operating social distancing and other measures.

The email address is [email protected].

Pete said: "It is down to each and every one of us to keep each other safe from Covid-19. We can not be complacent or underestimate the impact a second wave would have. We must and need to prevent that happening. If you follow the rules it will mean less transmission of the virus and our small steps back to normal will continue.

"If we do not then that return to normal life will be slower and the impact on our lives will be greater still. That is what we want to avoid and by following simple preventive measures, we can do it."