Residents in parts of the Staffordshire Moorlands are being urged to book a test for Covid-19.

The areas of Cellarhead and Werrington, Bagnall, Brown Edge, Endon, Cheadle, Checkley and Upper Tean and been identified as Covid-19 hotspots, places where there is a high level of community transmission.

People with or without symptoms in these areas are being encouraged to book a test at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus. They should choose the option “my council has asked me to book a test” if they don’t have the main symptoms Of Covid-19.

People with the main symptoms of Covid-19: persistent cough, fever or loss of taste or smell must self-isolate immediately, remain in isolation until they have a test result, and then continue to isolate for 10 days if positive

Anyone in these areas who is concerned that they may have been exposed to the virus, but aren’t showing symptoms can also get a test. Again, they need to follow the lockdown rules, but do not need to self-isolate unless they are positive. They can book as above.

There is currently good availability at the Fenton Local Testing Site, and a Mobile Testing Unit will now also be at JCB in Cheadle, ST10 2JU on November 25, 26 and 27. These need to be booked in advance via the national portal.

Dr Johnny McMahon, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing, said: “There are a few areas of the Moorlands that we would class as ‘hot-spot’ areas, areas with a high level of transmission. We are encouraging more people in these areas to get tested, even if they aren’t currently showing symptoms.

“There is currently good availability at local testing sites and a mobile unit in Cheadle for the next few days. Testing helps us understand the spread in an area, so we can identify and isolate more cases and reduce the spread of the virus.”