This is where a new drive-through coronavirus testing site has been set up in Sheffield

Anyone who thinks they may have the virus and calls NHS 111 will now be given an appointment to be seen at a location just off the Sheffield Parkway if they need to be screened.

They will be asked to drive there and remain in their car whilst trained staff in protective suits and masks take nose and throat swabs.

Patients will than be asked to drive home, stay in isolation and await the test results.

Coronavirus: Latest Foreign Office travel advice for Italy as number of UK cases soars

After each car has left, decontamination will be carried out to ensure no one is placed at risk.

The new testing service, introduced from today, Monday, March 9, in line with national plans for out-of-hospital testing, has been set up by specially trained teams from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Michael Harper, the trust’s chief operating officer, said: “We have considerable expertise in the management of infectious diseases and our staff have the appropriate protection and training to do this testing in a safe and convenient way which is why we have been asked to establish the service.

Is coronavirus in Rotherham? Confusion as full list of places in England with confirmed cases revealed

“I must stress that this is not a service which anyone can turn up and use because of the necessary precautions which need to be taken. I am afraid that anyone who turns up who is not booked in via 111 cannot be tested.

“The community testing will be more convenient for patients who are asked by NHS 111 to attend for a test and means that patients who are potentially at risk are not entering hospital or other healthcare buildings which could cause disruption to other services or risk spreading the virus.

“Anyone who does not have a car will be visited at home by a specialist team to have their test carried out.”

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals would not reveal the precise location of the new testing site and we were told any queries would have to be directed to NHS England.

The Star has contacted NHS England and is awaiting a response.