A new Covid-19 rapid testing centre will open in Holbrook as from next Thursday.

Those who do not currently show any symptoms will be able to get tested at Holbrook Village Hall in the Street between 12.30-19.00 on Thursday and then between 07.00 to 13.30 on Friday, and the following Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Appointments for tests can be made online: here. or by calling 0333 772 6144.

Anyone giving a positive test will be told to self-isolate and advised on what to do next. People are being asked to get tested twice a week, three to four days apart, as part of their weekly routine.

Anyone receiving a negative result needs to continue to follow the social distancing guidance as they may only be at the early stages of developing the virus.

This is in case levels of the virus in a person at the earlier test were too low to be detected at that time.

People wishing to be tested need to book online or by calling

The lateral flow tests usually take 15 minutes and results are returned within the hour and involves taking a swab from the throat and nose to see whether coronavirus is present in the body.

A further 16 rapid testing centres for COVID-19 are to open in Suffolk, bringing the total number of centres to 28.

The sites are planned to open over the next two weeks in Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth, Southwold, Aldeburgh, Saxmundham, Debenham, Framlingham, Woodbridge, Eye, Holbrook, Needham Market, Elmswell, Hadleigh, Nayland and Brandon - serving more rural communities across the county.

The 28 centres use 'lateral flow' testing to identify people who may have coronavirus but who do not have symptoms. The tests are for people who do not have symptoms of coronavirus and cannot work from home.

It's because one in three people with coronavirus do not have symptoms so regular testing is vital in breaking the chain of infection and keeping Suffolk safe.

Councillor Matthew Hicks, Suffolk County Council's leader and chair of the Suffolk Local Outbreak Engagement Board, said:

"Testing is a key weapon in the battle against COVID-19, so we are delighted to be able to open a further 16 sites in more rural communities across Suffolk.

"Whilst Suffolk's vaccine rollout programme rapidly picks up pace, we need people who can't work from home and who don't have symptoms to get tested twice a week. It's how we will break the chain of infections and protect vulnerable people.

"It takes just 15 minutes to get a test and you get the results within the hour. 12,780 tests have already been completed. Suffolk needs everyone to play their part."

All 28 centres are listed on Suffolk County Council's website, including their addresses and opening times. The testing sites are operated on behalf of Suffolk County Council (SCC). Tests should be booked online or by phone in advance.

Employers are being urged to encourage their staff to book regular testing.

There are already 12 facilities open, including at the University of Suffolk in Ipswich, the STEM Centre in Western Way at West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill Arts Centre, St Etheldreda's parish centre in Newmarket, and Kirkley & Pakefield FC in Lowestoft.

The centres are being run by contractors Commisceo on behalf of SCC through government funding and are only for people not showing symptoms of COVID-19.

Anyone who is showing symptoms, or who may have been in close contact with someone who has, should not visit the centre.

Instead, they should ring 119 or go to the NHS website to book a test at one of the 12 symptomatic testing sites in Suffolk.

New sites:

Aldeburgh

04/03/2021

St Peters & St Pauls Church Hall, Victoria Road, Aldeburgh, IP15 5DU

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 0700 - 11:00. Thur 15:00-19:00

Beccles

25/02/2021

Blyburgate Hall, Blyburgate, Beccles, Suffolk NR34 9TA

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 0700 - 13:30. Thur 12:30-19:00

Brandon

23/02/2021

Church Institute, 50 London Rd, Brandon, IP27 0HY

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 0700 - 13:30. Thur 12:30-19:00

Bungay

01/03/2021

Honeypot Community Centre (Upper Olland Street, NR35 1BE

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 0700 - 11:00. Thur 15:00-19:00

Debenham

05/03/2021

Debenham Sports and Leisure Centre, Gracechurch Street, Debenham, Stowmarket, IP14 6BL

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 0700 - 11:00. Thur 15:00-19:00

Elmswell

24/02/2021

Elmswell - The Blackbourne, Blackbourne Rd, Elmswell, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP30 9UH

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 0700 - 13:30. Thur 12:30-19:00

Eye

01/03/2021

Eye Town Hall, 1 Broad Street, Eye, IP23 7AF

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 0700 - 13:30. Thur 12:30-19:00

Framlingham

22/02/2021

Framlingham Fire Station B1119, Framlingham. IP13 9DB

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 0700 - 11:00. Thur 15:00-19:00

Hadleigh

26/02/2021

Hadleigh United Reformed Church, Market Place, Hadleigh, IP7 5DL

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 0700 - 13:30. Thur 12:30-19:00

Halesworth

26/02/2021

Rifle Hall, London Road, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8LW

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 0700 - 11:00. Thur 15:00-19:00

Holbrook

25/02/2021

Holbrook Village Hall, The Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2PZ

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 0700 - 13:30. Thur 12:30-19:00

Nayland

22/02/2021

Nayland Fire Station, Bear Street, Nayland, CO6 4HY

To be confirmed

Needham Market

24/02/2021

Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market, IP6 8BB

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 0700 - 13:30. Thur 12:30-19:00

Saxmundham

03/03/2021

Market Hall, High Street, Saxmundham IP17 1AF

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 0700 - 11:00. Thur 15:00-19:00

Southwold

03/03/2021

Stella Peskett Millennium Hall, Mights Road, Southwold, Suffolk IP18 6BE

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 0700 - 11:00. Thur 15:00-19:00

Woodbridge

02/03/2021

Longshed (Old Whisstocks Boatyard), Tide Mill Way, Woodbridge IP12 1FP

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 0700 - 13:30. Thur 12:30-19:00