The South African variant of Covid-19 has been recognized in New Addington and Fieldway, that means that testing within the space has been ramped up.
Extra testing will begin up tomorrow (February 23) and adults are being urged to get examined as quickly as attainable.
The realm is the newest {that a} Covid-19 case with the variant and not using a hyperlink to worldwide journey has been recognized.
No further measures are in place and regular lockdown guidelines apply.
Cell testing models might be arrange in automotive parks at Timebridge Centre, Fieldway and Queen Elizabeth Drive, New Addington from 8.30am-3pm day by day.
House assessments may also be picked up from Timebridge Centre, Fieldway or New Addington Library, Central Parade from 11am-3pm, Monday –Saturday.
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Appointments should be booked upfront by the council web site – residents can’t use the nationwide reserving system for these assessments. For extra data and to e book go to www.croydon.gov.uk/CovidTest
Croydon’s director of public well being, Rachel Flowers, stated: “By getting examined, you may assist to forestall the virus spreading, defending your self and your family members, whereas enabling higher understanding of this variant. There may be presently no proof to recommend this variant of Covid-19 is extra critical than others, or that the vaccine wouldn’t defend towards it.
“A very powerful factor is that individuals proceed to comply with the steering that’s in place – comply with the lockdown guidelines and bear in mind palms, face, area – wash your palms, cowl your face and hold your distance from others. In the event you check constructive by any technique, you should isolate to cease the unfold of the virus.”
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Everybody over the age of 16 is being urged to get a check even when they haven’t any signs they usually have already been vaccinated.
Croydon Council may even be going door-to-door, delivering dwelling check kits to some addresses within the space.
Residents who’re clinically extraordinarily weak ought to proceed to comply with shielding steering and mustn’t go away their dwelling to get a check.
And anybody who has examined constructive for Covid-19 within the final two weeks doesn’t have to get examined once more.
The extra testing is anticipated to final for 2 weeks and anybody who assessments constructive might be requested to self-isolate instantly.
Those that have Covid-19 signs ought to get examined within the standard by by reserving on-line at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
Professor Kevin Fenton, London regional director at Public Well being England, stated: “The UK has top-of-the-line genomic techniques on this planet which has allowed us to detect the variant originating in South Africa right here in New Addington and Fieldway.
“I urge everybody provided a check to take it as much as assist us to observe the virus in our communities and to assist suppress and management the unfold of this variant.”
What is the danger?
All viruses, together with the one which causes Covid-19, continuously mutate into new variations or variants.
These tiny genetic modifications occur because the virus makes new copies of itself to unfold and thrive.
Most are inconsequential, and some may even be dangerous to the virus’s survival, however some variants could make the virus extra infectious or threatening to the host – people.
There are actually many hundreds of variants of the pandemic virus circulating. However consultants are involved concerning the South African variant, also referred to as 501.V2 or B.1.351.
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There isn’t any proof that the South Africa variant causes extra critical sickness for the overwhelming majority of people that grow to be contaminated.
As with the unique model, the chance is highest for people who find themselves aged or have important underlying well being situations.
However there are issues it could unfold extra readily and vaccines might not work fairly as effectively towards it.
Among the modifications contain the virus’s spike protein – the half that features the virus entry into human cells. It is usually the bit that vaccines are designed round, which is why consultants are involved about these specific mutations.
The South African variant carries a mutation, known as N501Y, that seems to make it extra contagious or simple to unfold.
In the event you’ve acquired a narrative associated to the surge testing, please e-mail our reporter at tara.o’[email protected].
