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.

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% 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.

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

Sarah Carter, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CCGs Executive Lead for the Covid-19 incident, said: “While Christmas is a time we would normally spend with our families, the risk in spreading the virus still remains high, particularly with family gatherings indoors where it will be incredibly difficult to maintain social distancing. 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.

“We know this has been a difficult year and we know how important it is to spend time with loved ones; we would however urge you to stay safe and continue to follow national guidance with regard to hands, face & space. If you are worried about symptoms of coronavirus make sure you book a test.”

Your 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.

Important information about getting Covid-19 tests during Christmas:

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.

Please remember that testing sites are still open over Christmas but are operating at slightly different times to normal on certain days.

There is a fixed testing drive-through site located at County Hall car park on Loughborough Road in West Bridgford, Nottingham. This is open from 8am – 8pm everyday apart from Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve where it will be open from 8am – 5pm and Christmas Day, Bank Holiday Monday (28 December) and New Year’s Day where it will be open from 9am – 3pm.

The walk-through local testing sites in city can be found at:
– Forest Park and Ride, Nottingham City
– Newthorpe Street, Nottingham City
– Duke Street car park, Bulwell
– Southglade Leisure Centre car park, Bestwood
– Nottingham University: Park Campus
– Nottingham University: Jubilee Campus
– Nottingham Trent University: Clifton Campus

In 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
– Albion Street car park, Beeston

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

Drive-through mobile testing units (MTUs) will also be operating during the festive period. Please keep an eye on the testing website page for the latest dates, times and locations.