Nottinghamshire health bosses plea for people to be sensible and stay safe this Christmas

The NHS is urging the public to stay safe over the holiday period and to follow the latest guidance to minimise coronavirus transmissions within the community.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Health bosses in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are urging ‘great caution’ as they warn of rising hospital admissions and a potential third coronavirus wave in January.

The last few weeks have seen numbers stabilise in our hospitals however, the number of people admitted to hospital due to coronavirus is still 30 per cent higher than at the peak of the first wave.

The new guidance announced at the weekend by the government states that people may form a ‘Christmas bubble’, of up to three households on Christmas Day and advises people to stay local wherever possible.

The NHS is asking everyone to please think carefully about mixing with other family members over ChristmasThe NHS is asking everyone to please think carefully about mixing with other family members over Christmas
The NHS is asking everyone to please think carefully about mixing with other family members over Christmas

Local people are being reminded to take every possible precaution to help reduce transmission.

Sarah Carter, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s executive lead for the Covid-19 incident, said: "We are asking people to think very carefully about their whole family and the need to keep them safe, particularly those who are clinically vulnerable.

"If you do choose to form a bubble, try to limit your contact with other people in the time left before Christmas, to reduce your risk of catching and spreading the virus.

"The NHS is still here for you during the Christmas period, please call 111 or visit 111 online if you are unsure which service you need, and call 119 to book a test.”

If you have symptoms of coronavirus which are any of a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, you should get a test as soon as possible

The test involves taking a swab of the nose and the back of the throat.

You can book in for a test at a mobile testing site, a fixed drive-in site, walk-through sites or for a home testing kit by calling 119 or via the online government portal.

You must book in for a test prior to attending any testing centre.

There is a fixed testing drive-through site located at County Hall car park on Loughborough Road in West Bridgford.

This is open from 8am to 8pm every day apart from Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve where it will be open from 8am to 5pm and Christmas Day, Bank Holiday Monday (December 28) and New Year’s Day where it will be open from 9am to 3pm.

The walk-through local testing sites in Nottingham city can be found at: Forest Park and Ride, Nottingham, Newthorpe Street, Nottingham, Duke Street car park, Bulwell, Southglade Leisure Centre car park, Bestwood, Park Campus and Jubilee Campus at Nottingham University and Clifton Campus at Nottingham Trent University.County walk-through local testing sites can be found at: Central Avenue car park, Worksop, Civic Centre car park, Mansfield, Castle House car park, Newark, Druids Inn car park, Arnold, Rushcliffe Arena, West Bridgford and Albion Street car park, Beeston.

These will be open from 8am to 8pm everyday apart from Christmas Day, Bank Holiday Monday (December 28) and New Year’s Day where they will be open from 9am to 3pm.

Drive-through mobile testing units (MTUs) will also be operating over the festive period.

Please keep an eye on the Nottinghamshire CCG website for the latest dates, times and locations.