“No increased risk” as Rossett Clinic selected as Coronavirus community testing unit

It has been announced by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board that Rossett Clinic will be the site of the Coronavirus community testing unit for the east area of North Wales.

The new testing unit appears to have become active today, however there is no information on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board website or Public Health Wales websites or social media accounts of details, or directions for those unfamiliar with the area.

Local residents have been informed via a letter however there appears to be no formal wider communication of the clinic to the general public. The only source of the information to the wider public has come from Wrexham’s Assembly Member Lesley Griffiths.

The letter to nearby residents assures them “…that using this site will not place you or the other residents in the area at any increased risk”.

The clinic will use a ‘drive through’ model of testing which will require individuals who require a test to drive up to the clinic. This means the individuals will not exit their cars and the risk of the virus spread ‘will be managed’.

People in ‘protective clothing’ will be visible, and the Health Board say ‘all protective clothing will be removed from the site on a daily basis by courier’ and the premises will be ‘throughly cleaned’.

Residents with concerns are advised to contact Public Health Wales.

Just under a month ago we noted the Chief Medical Officers advice to health boards that stated “…the Chief Medical Officer wrote to health boards advising on the importance of immediate implementation of community assessment and testing services and the establishment of Coronavirus Testing Units separate from Emergency Departments.” We queried if and when such a unit would be created in Wrexham.

On the 28th we re-asked the question to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and were pointed to Public Health Wales.

We asked Public Health Wales, and had no response.