Extra Covid-19 Testing in Wandsworth

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Drive-through tests available at mobile centre this week

Additional dates have been added to the Mobile Testing Unit (MTU) facility. This will now be available in Wandsworth on the following dates this month - November 13, 14 and 17.

You must book your session in advance. MTUs are primarily drive-through centres, but will see a limited number of people on foot. Please request this when you book.

A permanent testing centre is being planned for the borough and a number of walk-through Local Test Sites (LTS) are also being set up and the council is currently considering where to site them. This is likely to be in town centres or near large estates, with some set up in marquees and others inside existing buildings. They are designed to serve vulnerable people who can only get to a test site by walking a short distance to one. As soon as details are confirmed they will be publicised.

Cabinet member for adult social care and health Cllr Melanie Hampton said: “We have listened to what our residents have told us and have worked hard to secure these extra dates.

“We are also in constant contact with headteachers and have met with local faith groups to find out what they need in terms of testing facilities and communication.

“It can be difficult to book a slot because of the very high demand, but please be persistent and we hope these extra dates will help. I would also urge people not to book a test unless they have symptoms.”

The main symptoms of the disease are:

• A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste - this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to norma

A recent survey at testing sites found a quarter of people turning up did not have symptoms. If you don’t have coronavirus symptoms, and have not been advised to take a test by a doctor or a public health professional or by your local council, you should not book a test.

If you have any coronavirus symptoms you must isolate immediately for ten days (don’t wait for a test or a test result before doing so). If you are identified as a contact of a positive case you must isolate for the full 14 days (even if you got a negative test during that period).

You should not get tested if you do not have symptoms. This includes people who want confirmation of a negative test in order to travel or return to work or if another member of your household has symptoms. You may be advised to isolate if you have been in contact with a confirmed case but you should only get a test if you have symptoms.

Full guidance on self-isolation is available on gov.uk.

If you have symptoms and need to book a test, you can do this online or by ringing 119. Do not call 111 which is an urgent care service and cannot help with tests.

If Wandsworth is not shown as one of the options when you book, try again later.

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November 13, 2020