By Tara O’Connor
The South African variant of Covid-19 has been recognized in New Addington and Fieldway, which means that testing within the space has been ramped up.
Further testing will begin up tomorrow and adults are being urged to get examined as quickly as potential.
The realm is the most recent within the UK the place 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.
Cellular testing models will probably be arrange in automobile parks at Timebridge Centre, Fieldway and Queen Elizabeth Drive, New Addington from 8.30am-3pm each day.
Residence assessments will also be picked up from Timebridge Centre, Fieldway or New Addington Library, Central Parade from 11am-3pm, Monday –Saturday.
Appointments have to be booked upfront by way of the council web site – residents can’t use the nationwide reserving system for these assessments. For extra data and to guide go to www.croydon.gov.uk/CovidTest
Croydon’s director of public well being, Rachel Flowers, stated: “By getting examined, you possibly can assist to stop the virus spreading, defending your self and your family members, whereas enabling higher understanding of this variant.
“There may be at present no proof to counsel this variant of Covid-19 is extra critical than others, or that the vaccine wouldn’t shield in opposition to it.
“Crucial factor is that folks proceed to observe the steerage that’s in place – observe the lockdown guidelines and bear in mind fingers, face, area – wash your fingers, cowl your face and hold your distance from others.
“When you take a look at optimistic by any technique, you have to isolate to cease the unfold of the virus.”
Everybody over the age of 16 is being urged to get a take a look at even when they don’t have any signs and so they have already been vaccinated.
Croydon Council may also be going door-to-door, delivering house take a look at kits to some addresses within the space.
Residents who’re clinically extraordinarily susceptible ought to proceed to observe shielding steerage and mustn’t go away their house to get a take a look at.
And anybody who has examined optimistic for Covid-19 within the final two weeks doesn’t must get examined once more.
The extra testing is predicted to final for 2 weeks and anybody who assessments optimistic will probably be requested to self-isolate instantly.
Those that have Covid-19 signs ought to get examined within the common method 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 probably the greatest genomic programs on the planet which has allowed us to detect the variant originating in South Africa right here in New Addington and Fieldway.
“I urge everybody supplied a take a look at to take it as much as assist us to watch the virus in our communities and to assist suppress and management the unfold of this variant.”
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