A DROP-IN Covid-19 test centre is being set up in Halesowen this weekend in response to a rise in cases in the area and variants of concern.

The test centre is being set up in Birmingham Street car park from Saturday May 29, for people to visit without the need for making an appointment.

It will be open 10am to 6pm, every day for the next two weeks and can be accessed by car or by foot.

Although the number of cases across the Dudley borough is falling, Halesowen has seen a recent rise - including 12 cases of variants of concern - so people with any symptoms, however mild, are encouraged to get a standard coronavirus test (PCR) as well as those who think they may have come into contact with someone with Covid-19.

The test centre is being set up to help track any undetected cases and to prevent further spread of the virus.

Councillor Nicolas Barlow, Dudley Council's cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: "We’re being proactive in the Halesowen area following a recent rise in the number of cases and I would urge anyone with symptoms, however mild, to get a PCR test at this new centre.

"There is no evidence to suggest the variant puts people at greater risk, but we do know it has a higher transmission rate, which is why it’s important for people to get tested so we can track and identify any further cases to help prevent the spread of the disease.

"While the number of cases across the borough is in fact falling, this virus is still very much with us and we must continue to be cautious."

Across the borough there are 17 Kent variants and 21 non-UK variants - and latest Public Health England figures show there were 63 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Dudley in the last seven days (an infection rate of 19.6 cases per 100,000 people).

PCR tests need to be carried out for anyone with symptoms or feeling unwell or on those who have come into contact with someone with a positive test.

These types of tests can also be checked for variants.

People in Halesowen can also get a PCR test at one of the other Dudley test sites or by ordering a home test kit.

More information can be found at www.dudley.gov.uk/testsites.

A full list of possible Covid-19 symptoms can be found online at www.dudley.gov.uk/coronavirustesting.