THERE is concern in the communities of Caia Park and Hightown in the wake of local testing centres for coronavirus being set up.

Mobile testing units have been introduced this week, with the aim to make it easier for people living in communities on the edge of Wrexham town centre to get a test.

However, in the light of a recent spike in cases in Wrexham which has led to a plea for people not to visit the Wrexham Maelor hospital's A&E department unless it is necessary, there are worries about the number of cases in the town and its hospital.

Yesterday, Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board confirmed that between 60 an 70 patients at the Maelor have tested positive for coronavirus.

Caia Park councillor Carrie Harper said: "There has been concern in the community about the rise in positive cases in Wrexham and specifically in the hospital. Today we've had confirmation that there are 60-70 cases in the Maelor and now testing is to be made easier in the Hightown and Caia Park area.

"Presumably this is based on some evidence of cases in those localities and it would be useful to know if there is any intelligence identifying local clusters.

"Given the concerns, it would be useful to know when this was identified and which organisation made the decision to open testing centres in specific areas."

The situation in Wrexham has been in the spotlight for several weeks since an outbreak of coronavirus associated with the Rowan Foods plant.

Public Health Wales says mobile testing will give a better understanding of the situation in Wrexham.

Dr Chris Williams of Public Health Wales said: “Providing easy-access testing will help us further understand the situation in Wrexham.

“We’re encouraging anyone who thinks they may have symptoms – even very mild ones – to take advantage of the mobile testing units while they’re in the area, and go and get a test.

“Testing is a really important part of the strategy for managing Covid-19 in Wales, so it’s important people step forward if they think they have symptoms.

“Covid-19 can spread in community settings, not just in workplaces.

“If you do test positive, you’ll be given advice by contact tracers at Wrexham Council.

“They’ll advise you on how long to isolate for and what support you can get to help you through the isolation period.

“They’ll also ask for your help in tracing people you’ve been in close contact with recently."

The mobile testing centres will be at Caia Park Health Centre on Prince Charles Road and in Hightown from today.