Testing unit closed and Covid-19 tests cancelled after vandalism

Covid-19 tests had to be cancelled for residents at a testing centre after it was targeted by vandals.

The testing unit in Ystradgynlais closed temporarily on Thursday, October 28 as a result of the damage which required the site to be repaired.

The Covid-19 testing unit is part of the national testing programme which is across the UK and was commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care.

To add to the cancelled tests, there was a struggle for the UK Government department to communicate with those who would need to reschedule their appointments at the unit as its text messaging system went down across the UK until about 2.30pm.

Powys Teaching Health Board took to Facebook to ask residents with appointments to reschedule their tests at another test centre.

A spokesperson for the Powys Teaching Health Board said: “We have been made aware that the COVID-19 mobile testing unit in Ystradgynlais has experienced some vandalism and is temporarily closed.

“The unit is part of the national testing centre network commissioned by the UK Government Department of Health and Social Care, rather than being run locally by the health board.

“We understand that the team is working hard to bring the testing centre back into use as quickly as possible.”

The spokesperson, who spoke to The Brecon & Radnor Express on Thursday afternoon, said: “A temporary interruption to the UK Government’s SMS Portal service has now been rectified, which means that people with tests booked at the centre will now be receiving a text notification if their test is cancelled.

“Alternative test locations can be booked online or by dialing 119.

“More information about Test Trace Protect (TTP) in Powys is also available from the health board website.”

The level of damage to the centre is unknown, however the test centre is understood to have reopened the following Friday, October 29

It is thought that the incident has not been reported to police - while the UK Government’s Department of Health and Social Care was approached for a comment but did not respond.