The number of coronavirus cases has risen sharply in and around downtown Chester.
While the outbreaks have been brought under control in Northwich and Winsford, rates are now high in Cheshire.
Chester City and Garden Quarter now has a rolling seven-day moving average through June 17 of 412.8 cases per 100,000 population.
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This is the highest rate in Cheshire and higher than the hotspot areas of the North West Delta variant of Bolton and Burnley.
Chester Boughton West and Hoole also have high rates, with a rolling case rate of 350.9 per 100,000.
Chester Boughton East saw cases rise 700% this week and Vicars Cross and Hoole East saw a 600% increase.
Generally speaking, Cheshire West and Chester now have 525 active cases and a rolling rate of 153.0.
The news comes as new test units open in Chester to try to get Delta variant cases under control.
Residents and employees in the postcode areas CH1 3XX and CH1 4XX are asked to take a test in order to cope with the increase in positive cases.
People who have had a positive PCR test in the past 90 days do not need another PCR test at this point.
The Cheshire West and Chester Council has opened a walk-in testing center within the priority area for surge testing to make it as accessible as possible to all residents.
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The council is supported by the University of Chester to provide a venue that is available at the end of the academic year and as part of ongoing community twinning.
The council pop-up test bus will be parked in the parking lot of the University of Chester Senate building on Cheyney Road. It will be available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. through July 3rd. No appointment is required. There are no parking spaces available on the premises.
In Sealand Road Park and Ride and Boughton Heath Park and Ride in Whitchurch Road, CH3 5QD, two additional mobile drive-through test units have also been opened, in which PCR test appointments can be booked daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To book a test on one of these websites visit: www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call: 119.
Cllr Louise Gittins, Director of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said, “It is really important that all residents and individuals working in these two zip code areas receive a one-time PCR test.
“These tests are sent to specialized laboratories so that we can track the spread of the Delta variant and provide an accurate result as quickly as possible so that anyone who tests positive can self-isolate and protect their friends, family and community.
“We are very grateful to the university for allowing us to use the Cheyney Road location so that we can bring our test facility closer to people in these important zip code areas.”
Dr. Helen Galbraith, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Student Experience) at the University of Chester, said, “We are working closely and proactively with colleagues at Cheshire West and Chester Council to help fight COVID-19.
“With many students returning home in Chester for the holidays and the facilities available again, we welcome the opportunity to contribute to the community testing program by providing a location for the new pop-up, walk-in test bus.
“We have taken strict security precautions within the university and strictly follow government guidelines to keep our locations COVID-safe. Students and employees who use our facilities personally are tested on a regular basis.
“COVID security remains a top priority and we will continue to offer help where we can to support broader efforts to prevent and overcome the virus.”
PCR test appointments can be booked in Chester at:
- Little Roodee Testing Center, in Castle Drive, Chester, CH1 1SL
- Sealand Road Park and Ride Test Center, Blacon, Chester, CH1 4QL
- Sealand Road Park and Ride Mobile Test Unit, Blacon, Chester, CH1 4LD
- Boughton Heath Park and Ride Mobile Testing Unit, 125 Whitchurch Road, CH3 5QD
To book, visit: www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call: 119.
Drop-in PCR tests, no appointment required, are available at:
- Chester Cathedral, St Werbergh Street
- Pop-up test bus in the parking lot of the University of Chester Senate House, Cheyney Road, CH1 4BJ
