All your questions answered on COVID-19 testing in North Tyneside

Everyone who lives, works or learns in North Tyneside is being encouraged to get tested following a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and detection of a variant first identified in India.

Here is a guide about testing options in the borough.

I live, work or learn in North Tyneside. What type of test do I need to get?

We are encouraging all residents and those who work or learn in North Tyneside to get a PCR test - even if they do not have symptoms of COVID-19.

This is to help stop rising infection rates of COVID-19 in the borough and to understand where variants of concern are.

What is PCR testing?

PCR testing not only helps to identify someone who is positive, it helps monitor any new strains and identify any new patterns in virus behaviour.

The tests are sent off to a lab to be checked.

I feel fine and don’t have coronavirus symptoms. Where can I go to get a PCR test?

As part of the Government’s surge testing offer in North Tyneside, Mobile Testing Units (MTUs) are open, 10am-4pm, in the following locations:

  • Wallsend Forum, behind the Anson pub
  • Bedford Street, North Shields
  • Shiremoor, next to Aldi and Costa

You can just turn up without an appointment.

We are adding additional testing capacity including greater availability of PCR testing.

There will be new walk-in temporary test sites popping up across the borough, including one in the North West of the borough coming very soon.

I have coronavirus symptoms (high temperature; new, continuous cough; loss or change to your sense of smell or taste). How should I get tested?

These are the ways you can get a PCR test if you have symptoms:

  • walk-in test sites in North Tyneside, open 8am – 8pm every day, online or by calling 119:

- The Parks Leisure Centre (in the overflow car park), North Shields
- Coronation Street Car Park, Wallsend

  • You can book an appointment at one of these drive-through sites, open 9am – 3pm when deployed, online or by calling 119:

- Quadrant: every Saturday and Sunday
- Northumberland Business Park West (former Tommee Tippee site):  every Tuesday to Friday

You and anyone you live with should stay at home until you get your test result. Only leave your home to have a test.

If you test positive you must continue to self-isolate from the day your symptoms started and the next full 10 days. Anyone you live with will also need to self-isolate at the same time.

Find out more about self-isolating.

What about rapid tests?

We’re still encouraging everyone to take advantage of the availability of rapid lateral flow tests and do their two weekly tests – find out more about rapid tests here. The pop-up PCR sites are the enhanced offer.

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