MORE than 50,000 symptom-free coronavirus tests have been carried out across St Helens.

The milestone was hit on Tuesday, January 26 after three asymptomatic testing sites were launched on December 7.

The tests have helped find 956 cases of COVID-19 in people who did not display any symptoms and may have otherwise continued to be out in public rather than self-isolating, helping to reduce the spread of the virus.

The number of tests carried out has seen almost one in five (19.2 per cent) people getting tested across the borough with more than 34,000 people taking part in the regular symptom free testing.

St Mary’s Market in St Helens town centre has proven the most popular testing site with 16,233 residents tested there.

Meanwhile, 10,622 people have visited Chester Lane Community Centre in Sutton while 8,681 have used the test centre at Grange Valley Youth Centre in Haydock.

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Cllr Anthony Burns, cabinet member for wellbeing, culture and heritage, said: “Thank you to those who listened to our call last month to come out and get tested regularly. These symptom free tests are a way to help us map and understand better the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

“Cases may be coming down but they remain high with more people being admitted to hospital and sadly dying. Isolating cases is one of the ways we can continue to reduce our figures along with staying at home unless essential. When you do have to leave home you should keep on wearing a mask when in contact with others, washing hands and surfaces regularly and keeping our distance from others.”

To get a symptom free test, attend one of the three testing centres.

There is no need to book and centres are open from 8.30am to 6pm from Monday to Friday and 10am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms – a new, continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of sense of smell or taste - is urged not to use the asymptomatic testing centres. S

Tests for those with symptoms mus be booked which can be done online at gov.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.

To find out more about the symptom free testing visit sthelens.gov.uk/letsgettested