AS OXFORD Health announces that the city is on ‘amber alert’ due to an increase in coronavirus cases, a mobile testing unit has been set up on Cowley Road. 

The new testing will be in the car park behind Tesco and anybody with symptoms is urged to go this bank holiday weekend to stop the spread of the deadly disease. 

What does 'amber alert' mean? 

Oxford Mail:

Data correct as at 5pm on 25 August.

Key: Weekly rate per 100,000 population alert status

    red: more than 50
    amber: more than 25, up to 50
    yellow: more than 15, up to 25
    light green: more than 5, up to 15
    dark green: 0 to 5

Amber alert means the city is 'heading in the same direction' as other locations that required intervention, say Oxfordshire County Council. 

What are the lastest coronavirus stats? 

In the 7 days up to 21 August, there has been a total of 86 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Oxfordshire, this is an increase from 65 cases in the previous week.

This is equivalent to a weekly rate of new cases of 12.4 per 100,000 residents.

What have the health bosses said? 

Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council’s director for public health said: “With a Bank Holiday coming up, the need for people to abide by all of the things that we know stop the spread of this virus is greater than ever.

“We can see the number of people contracting COVID is increasing per 100,000 of the population on a day-by-day basis and it is very unsettling. Undoubtedly the 18-29 year age group is driving this rise in cases.

Read more: horror as dogs found covered in poo and urine 

“We were able to leave lockdown and stay out of it because we were suppressing the virus locally by our own actions. We were keeping our distance from each other, sanitising and wearing masks.

"It feels to me like some people now believe the virus is gone for good. I can assure you that it hasn’t.

“My appeal to everyone in Oxford – and 18 to 29 year olds in particular – is to remember what got us out of lockdown. Do we really want to end up with the kind of local control measures we have seen introduced in various parts of Lancashire, Yorkshire, Leicester and Aberdeen?"

Read more: new coronavirus spike - 18-30-year-olds are to blame 

Where is the new testing centre and how do I book? 

Anybody with symptoms can be tested until Sunday in the car park behind Tesco.

If you have a high temperature, continuous cough or a loss of taste or smell book a test online or call 119.