A NEW walk-through coronavirus testing facility opened in Sutton to help tackle the surge in testing demand this week.

The site, located at The Phoenix Centre Car Park, is part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing for communities.

Testing at the new site started yesterday (October 22) with appointments made available each day.

The site is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history, which now includes more than 500 sites available across the UK, including 78 drive-through sites, 217 walk-through sites, 258 mobile units, home testing and satellite kits and five mega laboratories.

MORE: Test centre opens in Sutton Civic Centre car park

Health Minister Lord Bethell said: “We continue to expand testing to make sure that everyone with symptoms can get a test, with our new walk-in sites making it even easier no matter where you live.

This new site forms part of our national testing network, which has the capacity to test more than a million people a week and is growing all the time.

“If you have symptoms of coronavirus, I urge you to book a test today and follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace if you are contacted to protect others around you and stop the spread of the virus.”

Testing is available only for those with coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste.

Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.