MOBILE testing units for people with Covid-19 symptoms returned to Knighton and Hay-on-Wye this week and will remain there until Sunday, August 8.

The units are for residents in the two towns and wider area to have easy access to coronavirus testing.

The units moved from Machynlleth and Ystradgynlais to Bowling Green Lane Car Park in Knighton and the Playing Field’s Car Park on Brecon Road in Hay. They offer a drive-through service and are by appointment-only.

The Powys testing team is urging people to continue to use their nearest testing unit if they become unwell with any of the classic signs and symptoms of Covid-19, or with a wider set of symptoms. The classic symptoms are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste. But, Covid testing is also available in Powys for a wider set of symptoms including if you generally feeling unwell, as this helps to spot cases which otherwise may have been undetected.

As well as the mobile testing units in Knighton and Hay, residents can also access tests at national testing centres in Newtown and Brecon where you can walk, drive or cycle for an appointment and at community testing units in Builth Wells and Welshpool, for drive-through appointments.

Residents who are experiencing symptoms but are unable to attend a testing unit can request a home testing kit, delivered to your home.

Appointments in Knighton, Hay, Newtown and Brecon can be booked through the UK Government national booking portal, either online at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test, by phone on 119 or 18001 119 for people with hearing or speech difficulties. This is also the way to request a home testing kit.

Residents in Builth and Welshpool can make an appointment by calling 01874 612228 or emailing powys.testing@wales.nhs.uk.

As well as testing centres for people with symptoms, testing using lateral flow devices is also available across the county. Lateral flow devices can be collected from libraries and pharmacies across Powys. More details are available by visiting https://pthb.nhs.wales/find/ttp and clicking on “I do not have symptoms”. Please remember that you should only visit these collections to collect lateral flow devices if you do not have symptoms.

With high numbers of cases continuing in Newtown, the walk-in testing centre remains open for people without symptoms. You can drop in to the testing centre Park Street (opposite Newtown Medical Practice) any time between 11.30am and 5.30pm. Our team will help you with your test, send you the result within an hour, and also give you testing kits to take away.

There is no need to book to collect lateral flow devices or to attend the walk-in testing centre in Newtown.