Appleby Cricket Club has been closed for a week after a visitor learned she had contracted COVID-19 — after being obliged to make a 170-mile round trip for a test.
The woman, a parent of a junior player, entered the club’s pavilion briefly last Saturday as part of a short stay while the first team’s Eden Valley League match against Edenhall was taking place.
Chairman Ernie Brabbins confirmed on Wednesday that club officials had been informed of the positive COVID test.
“In accordance with the current guidelines this person is now in self-isolation for 10 days,” said Mr Brabbins.
“Officers of the club have taken the decision to close for a seven-day period from Tuesday. This decision has been taken to support the fight against COVID-19 and to allow people in and around the club to deal with any implications.”
Neither the woman nor the club had been contacted by track and trace team representatives by Wednesday afternoon, Mr Brabbins understood.
And he praised the parent for making a round-trip of around 170 miles to the nearest available test centre, north of the border at Castle Douglas.
“She should be congratulated for going to Castle Douglas. A lot of people would have just not bothered. She did the right thing and went the extra mile,” the chairman stated.
Appleby Cricket Club has around 100 senior and junior male and female players.
As a result of the enforced seven-day closure, the men’s second team’s league game against Gamblesby has been called off.
So, too, were junior matches due to take place last Friday and a Colts team fixture at Irthing Vale which had been scheduled for yesterday.
“The club has operated a track and trace policy since opening in late July and has implemented protocols to try to protect members and guests from the spread of the virus,” said Mr Brabbins in an official statement.
“We are waiting advice from the health services and, in accordance with requirements, will pass on the details provided by visitors to the club on Saturday (12th September) to the appropriate authorities when requested.”
He added: “Any members or guests who were present at the club on Saturday, 12th September, should follow the guidance set out on the Government’s website.
“Saturday would have been the conclusion of our season and future activities at the club will be advised in due course. We thank you all for your support and co-operation.”
Meanwhile, more than 100 people — some travelling from Oldham and even Reading — underwent coronavirus tests on a mobile unit’s opening day in Keswick.
The free public facility was set up on both Wednesday and Thursday in the car park at the town’s former pencil factory, with visitors able to undergo on-the-spot COVID-19 tests without appointments on a drive-in or walk-in basis.
“We had a record number for here,” said Craig Parkin, the mobile test unit’s site manager, who confirmed Wednesday’s final total as 124.
“We have never had so many here on this test site.”
Previous COVID-19 tests in Keswick were carried out at the same location by the army earlier this year when there was not such high demand. Results from the tests are expected within 48-72 hours from a laboratory in Glasgow by phoning 119 with the barcode.
“We had one (car) from Reading. They couldn’t get anywhere else booked in — and there were two from Oldham. People were mostly aged 30-40 and we did a few children as well,” said Mr Parkin, who led a team of eight staff.
They will return to the same site to carry out more tests next Wednesday and Thursday (23rd and 24th September) before the month’s final session on Wednesday, 30th.
The Keswick site’s success came after widespread complaints about testing in other parts of the UK, with many people having to travel long distances.
Unlike static test units, walk-ins are available at mobile test units. Keswick’s is open from 9-30am to 3-30pm.
Only people showing symptoms of coronavirus should attend. Symptoms include high temperature, a new and persistent cough and loss of sense of taste or smell.
People are continuing to be advised to wash or sanitise their hands regularly, observe social distancing rules, wear face masks or coverings in enclosed public spaces, including taxis, and to self-isolate and get tested if they have symptoms.
A mobile testing unit was deployed to Penrith Rugby Club’s site on Wednesday, and officials have received confirmation this will return on the next two Wednesdays.
