People living, working or studying in the Clapham area are encouraged to have a Covid-19 PCR test. A testing site will be open in Windmill Drive, Clapham from 10.30am until 4pm on Saturday, 22 May and 8.30am until 4pm on Sunday, 23 May.
The site will extend its opening hours in the coming days. It is also essential that eligible residents get vaccinated. At present anyone over 34 years old can book via nhs.uk/who-can-get-the-vaccine.
There are cases in Clapham linked to local schools, which are likely to reflect wider community infections. Lambeth Council’s Public Health team is working with the schools to ensure that all measures to reduce risk and control the virus remain in place. Rapid testing in schools has enabled us to respond quickly to prevent further spread of infection. Anyone with a positive rapid LFD test or who feels unwell should get a PCR test immediately.
Cllr Jim Dickson, Lambeth’s joint Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “To enable easier access to Covid-19 testing to monitor any spread of the virus, the council has asked for a mobile testing unit to be deployed again to Clapham Common over this coming weekend.
“At this point in time, there is no evidence that any of the new cases are linked to a variant of concern, however, the rapid increase in the number of cases locally suggests that there is a high probability this could be a new variant as seen in other parts of London.
“Once full genetic sequencing information is available on the cases we will have more information. As a precaution, the council is putting these extra measures in place.”
Lambeth’s latest Covid-19 rate has increased over the last week to around 30 infections per 100,000 of population which represents a 75 per cent rise on the previous week. Information on the rates of Covid-19 infection in the borough are available via the council’s website at lambeth.gov.uk/covid-19-stats.
All new cases in Lambeth and London are currently treated as potential variants of concern and undertake enhanced contact tracing in advance of this information being available through genetic sequencing.
A comprehensive package of self-isolation support is also offered to all those required to self-isolate. Information on Lambeth council’s enhanced offer is available at lambeth.gov.uk/self-isolate-help.
