Cheshire East Council are asking for every adult in Macclesfield to take a COVID-19 test, even if they aren't showing symptoms.

This is following a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases across the area, largely driven by the Delta variant, as we reported on Monday.

According to the seven days up to June 3, there are at least 134 COVID-19 cases across Macclesfield. Most of these are thought to be the new variant.

This was up from 101 cases recorded in the seven days up to June 1. Up 33 in just two days.

Case numbers for Macclesfield East and Hurdsfield doubled from 11 to 22 positive tests in just two days.

It overtook Macclesfield Central as the place with the most COVID-19 cases in our area. Bollington currently has the least cases locally (see below).

Working in partnership with NHS Test and Trace, Cheshire East Council is asking every person living in Macclesfield over the age of eighteen, to take a PCR COVID-19 test, even if they are not showing symptoms.

In response to the rise in cases, particularly found in the 18-39 age group, Cheshire East Council has deployed several mobile testing units.

One of these is in Wilmslow, less than a 20 minute drive away from Macc.

It is located at Handforth Youth Centre, Old Rd, Handforth, Wilmslow SK9 3DA.

The new mobile testing unit is already live with planned deployment until at least June 13.

The trip from Macc town centre to the new mobile testing site is just an 18 minute drive, taking eight miles via The Silk Rd.

This is in addition to pre-existing testing services in Macc. And the new Wilmslow pop-up testing site will hope to ease pressure on the Commercial Rd test site.

Mobile facilities can be set up in under 20 minutes, allowing the testing of hundreds of people each day and are now travelling to those most in need and hard to reach.

Specially trained personnel will collect swabs at the mobile sites before they are sent to an NHS Test and Trace laboratory for processing. Those tested will receive results within 24 hours.

Dr Matt Tyrer, director of public health at Cheshire East Council, said: "Unfortunately cases of Covid are continuing to rise at an alarming rate right across Cheshire East and particularly in and around Macclesfield and Crewe.

"Supporting our existing network of testing facilities, these mobile testing units will help us to increase our testing capacity for asymptomatic (without symptoms) testing.

"I can't stress this enough, but it really is important to maintain regular testing, even if you have been vaccinated.

"You may not have felt it was important to get tested before, but this new variant is far more transmissible and you may not know you have got it if you don't have a test.

"You could spread it without knowing and we are making it much easier to check.

"Please do make your way to one of the local test sites or mobile units as testing is the only way to be certain if you are positive or not."

Advice to heed to hands, space, face, along with fresh air are encouraged with this demand for more testing.

Councillor Jill Rhodes, Cheshire East Council adults and health committee chair, said: "If we are to eliminate COVID-19 in Cheshire East then we really need residents to do the right thing which means continuing to follow the national guidance.

"This is especially important for our younger residents and those who are still to receive either one or both vaccinations.

"If a person tests positive, has any symptoms, or are contact traced following contact with someone who tests positive, they should self-isolate immediately".

If you have symptoms self-isolate and order a test kit online and if you have no symptoms but live in Macclesfield then go to a mobile test site for a test, to stop the spread.

If the short trip to Wilmslow is unfeasible for you, Maxonians can also get a test at the pre-existing Macclesfield centres, like the Commercial Road Depot Carpark, SK10 1GA.

It provides walk-in symptomatic and asymptomatic testing. All necessary measures have been taken to ensure asymptomatic and symptomatic residents do not mix.

Opening times and details can be found by going to the council's testing web page.

Cheshire East Council are urging every Macclesfield adult to get tested immediately, due to the increase in cases in just two days, as seen below.

Comparing the most recent data on June 3 to the number of positive Macclesfield tests on June 1 are as follows:

Ranked Numerically

Macclesfield East and Hurdsfield 22 (+11)

Macclesfield South & Lyme Green 19 (+3)

Macclesfield Tytherington 12 (+4)

Prestbury & Adlington 9 (+1)

Macclesfield Weston 9 (+2)