Clarity is being sought on plans for mass testing in North Wales. The calls for information have been made by Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, following the publication of the Welsh Government’s Review of testing for Covid-19 which aimed to look at the whole testing regime and identify where improvements could and should be made.
With regards to North Wales, the following is noted: ‘In North Wales testing of key workers is via Community Testing Units, with new infrastructure planned for community mass testing’.
Yesterday the Minister for Health and Social Services stated during Plenary that:
‘We do now have mass drive-in testing centres in operation in Cardiff and Newport and new testing infrastructure is planned for north and south Wales to be in place shortly—within the next fortnight, as I understand it today—to boost the existing testing arrangements already in place’.
Further to the review and the Minister’s statement, Janet said:
“Establishing test centres and improving access to testing will be essential as we gradually move away from the delay phase.
“I welcome the fact that the Welsh Government is planning new infrastructure to be in place in North Wales within the next fortnight, but there is a lack of detail.
“Will the infrastructure be going in the site of previous drive-through testing centres at Rossett, Llanfairfechan, and Porthmadog? How many individuals a day could be tested in North Wales? When will more information about mass testing be made available?
“These are some of the questions that a number of individuals would like answering as the World Health Organisation urges all countries to test, test, test”.
ENDS
Notes:
- Written Assembly Question: Will the Minister clarify the timescale for the provision of new infrastructure for community mass testing in North Wales, where this will be located, and how many test could be undertaken daily once everything is in place?
