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Covid-19 Testing: South Norwood and Thornton Heath

Published on 09 March 2021 10:33 AM

Croydon Council is working with NHS Test and Trace to carry out extra testing for Covid-19 in South Norwood and Thornton Heath. This follows the government announcement on 5 March that Public Health England has found evidence of a case with the variant first identified in Brazil area. At this stage there is no evidence of onwards transmission, but we are introducing extra testing in the area as a further precaution.

Please help by sharing the following information with your local networks, and if you live in the area, by taking action yourself:

We are asking everyone living in South Norwood and Thornton Heath over the age of 16 to take a COVID-19 test as soon as possible, even if they are not showing symptoms. This includes people who have been vaccinated for Covid-19.

By getting tested, you can help to prevent the virus spreading, protecting yourself and your loved ones, while enabling better understanding of this variant. There is currently no evidence to suggest this variant of Covid-19 is more serious than others, or that the vaccine would not protect against it.

If you live in the area and do not have symptoms:

  • From Tuesday 9 March, Mobile Testing Units (MTUs) will be at the car parks at Granville Gardens, London, SW16 3LL and Samuel Coleridge Taylor Centre, 194 Selhurst Road, SE25 6XX from 9am-3pm, seven days a week. Appointments must be booked in advance through the council webpage – you cannot use the national booking system for these tests.

  • Also from tomorrow you can also pick up and drop off a home testing kit from South Norwood Library, Lawrence Road, SE25 5AA or Thornton Heath Library, 190 Brigstock Road, CR7 7JB from 10am-4pm, Monday –Saturday. You will need to wear a face covering and bring your smart phone if you have one to register your test and proof of address.

  • Croydon Council is also going door-to-door, delivering home test kits to some homes in South Norwood and Thornton Heath. We won’t reach everyone, so if you are able to please collect a home test kit or visit the MTU.

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you should continue to follow shielding guidance and not leave your home to get a test.

If you have coronavirus symptoms you should continue to book a test in the usual way at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or via the NHS COVID-19 app.

If you test positive by any method, or have any symptoms, you should self-isolate immediately. If you have had a positive Covid-19 test in the last two weeks, you do not need to get tested now.

Staying safe

If you live in South Norwood or Thornton Heath you do not need to do anything else – everyone should continue to follow the national lockdown restrictions and the NHS guidance on social distancing. You can still leave your home for essential reasons – for example to work, if you cannot work from home, to attend medical appointments and to get food and other supplies. 

Schools, colleges and nurseries

Schools, colleges and nurseries remain open. There are no instructions for education settings to close in areas where new variants have been identified.

How will test results be used?

Positive tests will be sequenced to identify any further spread of the variant, enabling a better understanding of this particular strand of the virus and identifying if there are any more cases in the area. The more cases of the variant we find, the better chance we have at suppressing it. Please help to keep your community safe by getting tested so we can find the variant and protect you and your loved ones.

How long will additional testing be available?

Additional testing will be carried out for two weeks and we are asking people to have one test during this time.

Home testing kit delivery

We’ll be delivering home test kits to some addresses, and our home testing kit delivery teams will:

  • be fully equipped with PPE and Croydon Council high visibility vests
  • maintain a safe distance
  • assist you as much as possible in administering your test and registering it
  • have ID stating they are working on behalf of Croydon Council

They will not:

    • ask you for any personal details
    • request payment for any services
    • require access to your property

Remember, the best way to stop the spread of COVID-19 is to stay at home. If you do need to leave your home for essential reasons… keep your distance, wash your hands and cover your nose and mouth.

For more information please visit www.croydon.gov.uk/CovidTest