Coronavirus: Friday’s Local Updates

Essential workers across Harborough and those they live with can now get tested for Coronavirus as Leicestershire’s first drive-through test centre opened today.

The Department of Health service is available to those who work in the NHS, social care, education, food and drink production, transportation and other essential services.

The testing site is at the Birstall Park & Ride facility in Leicester, although more local mobile testing centres may open in-line with demand.

Testing appointments must be made in advance – Some employers will choose to refer their employees for a test using an online portal or they may ask employees to refer themselves by visiting www.gov.uk/coronavirus

A convoy of over 50 trucks, tractors and vans helped salute the work of NHS and key workers last night.

It passed through Market Harborough, Lubenham and Marston Trussell, to coincide with the weekly Clap For Our Carers campaign.

Those taking part held a minute’s silence before setting off to remember all those who have lost their lives from Covid-19.

VIDEO: Andy Carpenter

It was the second and final convoy, organised by Craig Davies of CJ Sweepers, although he hasn’t ruled out holding another one at some point in the future, if there is enough public support.

Craig spoke to Hfm:

A lady in her 90s has sadly died at St Luke’s Hospital in Market Harborough after testing positive for Coronavirus.

It’s the first death to be reported at the hospital linked to Covid-19.

The Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, which run the Community Hospital, say the patient had underlying health conditions and their thoughts and condolences are with her family.

Over 350 people have now died in hospitals in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire after testing positive for Covid-19 since the pandemic began, and a number of deaths have also been reported in care homes.

Police say they’ll target drivers taking advantage of quieter roads to speed.

There’s been an increase in reports across the Hfm Region since the lock-down began – in Northamptonshire over 1,000 speeding offences have been detected in the past month, including one driver doing 138 miles per hour on the M1.

Sergeant Ryan Coleman is from Harborough Police says speed plays big factor in injury accidents, which at the current time will put added pressure on the NHS: