Nearly 200 people have been to the Isle of Wight for COVID-19 testing — but figures have tailed off dramatically in recent days.
The Isle of Wight Council has confirmed, at its height, up to 40 people a day were coming over, but this is now down to virtually zero.
At the first meeting of the Isle of Wight Council’s local outbreak engagement board held yesterday (Thursday), Wendy Perera, assistant chief executive, said as soon as the council became aware of the numbers, it did contact the national test and trace team, as well as the company which runs the testing system, to find a solution.
She said:
“People were using public transport to get to a drive-in test centre, which the guidance says not too. Over the last few days, we have seen none, possibly one.
“We are monitoring the situation and we will react to that.”
Figures from the Isle of Wight Council, which monitors attendance at Newclose Cricket Ground, the Island’s testing centre, show just under 200 referrals had been logged from mainland address since 23rd September.
Between 23rd – 30th September, 186 people travelled to the Island for a COVID-19 test. A council spokesperson said, however, from 1st – 5th October, only 11 people presented at the test centre from the mainland.
Answering concerns about the situation, the Island’s director of public health, Simon Bryant, said the Newclose centre has been very well and appropriately used.
More testing options have been introduced on the mainland, in Portsmouth and Southampton, making it easier to access tests and stop the unnecessary travel across the Solent.
The Isle of Wight Council has also been working in partnership with the ferry companies and authorities on the mainland, sending the message to not come to the Island for a test.
The testing allocation system has introduced a 75-mile cap nationally to stop people travelling as far but it fails to recognise the Solent as a body of water which most people will need to use public transport to cross.
Should never have happened in the first place.
Madness! which idiot made the decision?!
One day, Google and the like will start to realise that certain stretches of water are not insignificant. From Yarmouth (no Google, not Great Yarmouth!), we are constantly being told that the nearest “whatever” is in Lymington. Useless!
Why the hell are people being sent to the Island from the Mainland for testing. No wonder Island cases are rising. Completely unfair to Islanders where there is a high proportion of vulnerable people.
Great so not only do we have to have holidaymakers and 2nd homeowners who MIGHT have it, we now have people over who most surely have, no wonder the island is heading for a 2nd peak that is going to make the original lockdown look tiny…… ridiculous, so where is our MP on this, silent as usual. Jeeeeeesus
Nothing to do with the MP. Public health issue, tell the council.
Bob ( kiss arse) Seely is our elected MP for the Isle of Wight. Situations like this is his responsibility to question this absurd fiasco on our behalf to government. His deafening silence is not surprising I’m afraid.
Sausage Boy Bob should be looking after the interests of the people of the IW and at least questioning the Council on why they were allowing this to happen!
Absolutely right. These clowns in charge should all be sacked. This is irresponsible in the first degree allowing probably COVID positive people to travel to the IOW, some on public transport on the mainland then board a ferry or a cat with islanders onboard…..you really couldn’t make this up. As the saying goes, YOU CAN’T TEACH STUPID!!!!
There is nothing Bob Seely has done which has been in the interest of the Islanders welfare, disgraceful MP and Dave Stewart is equally as bad – hidden agenda’s no doubt!
The NHS is on an MPs remit … look it up and you will see what issues you can take up with him!
The Council say ” from 1st – 5th October, only 11 people presented at the test centre from the mainland.
Is this because they were hoping they would go to various attractions around the island and spend money ??
Lets hope that if we do go into lockdown because of this they introduce the same laws as in Wales where :-
” lockdown restrictions prevent travel in or out of the areas without ‘a reasonable excuse’ “
Hopefully the ferry terminals would be policed.
But that would probably mean the council would allow people coming here for tests as a ‘reasonable excuse’.
Is there no one on the council that can see the danger of free movement from the mainland to the island and how the cases are rising because of it.
As was reported last week people weren’t allowed to stay in their cars ,so that’s 200 people with symptoms mixing with others on the ferries.Also people from the lsland were going to the mainland for tests as well, you couldn’t make it up, it’s a complete balls up.
Well this is England, what did you expect. According to the “government “ their doing a good job, hmmmm we also have the highest infection/ death rate in Europe. Tory old guard blame the public of course so let’s all do as we’re told and hide under our beds forever!
We need to get shot of these idiots, this pandemic has proven these people in office albeit MP, Council or other are simply not up to the job – Islander’s lives have and still are being put at risk, primary children would have made better decisions!
I think this is absolutely disgusting. Especially when islanders with symptoms have not been able to get a test, as the only testing offered meant them having to go to the mainland.
and then when they are on the ferry they have to get out of car not allowed to stay in and mingle how crazy
‘But they wouldn’t spend money on goodies if they stayed in their cars’
Profit before people, those being tested probably spent a few days here sightseeing as they had just been given the perfect opportunity!
No wonder this is spreading soon to take our elderly and vulnerable and likely giving life changing ailments to the young.
What fool allowed likely infected people to come here to be tested?
More fool them.
Trace and fine them all for being stupid. No wonder the infection is spreading. If you have symptoms stay at home isolating and order an at home test. What’s so hard to understand? If your feeling well and normal then travel for a test to confirm you are Covid free.
Absolutely typical ‘they’ couldn’t run a —etc etc No wonder cases are rising on the Island, not to mention contaminating the ferries.
Travelling over from the mainland…….you couldn’t make this up……..it is ridiculous……..whoever thought this was a good idea should be SACKED. What a dipsh*t.
“whoever thought this was a good idea should be SACKED”
Well that will be our incompetent Tory government then!
Should definitely sack quite a few of them
you do not get it opinions matter – the government know all too well that they cannot control any virus – so the best chance is for everyone to be exposed and then over time, the impact the virus has will weaken.
if the current draconian masks, social distancing and other dumb measures were working, then there would be no increases in infection rates at all. as infection rates are increasing then we should simply ditch all the measures and just go back to normal – those that are worried should stay in doors away from others.
No one should be travelling to the Island for test. Dangerous to all staff and passengers on the ferry.
SO THEY ARE TRAVELLING ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT WITH CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS AND BRINGING CORONAVIRUS TO THE ISLAND !!!!!!!!!
Yes, and probably staying over for a night or two to make the most of it! UNBELIEVABLE!