New Measures in Ealing Borough To Tackle Indian Variant |
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Residents asked to get tested to stop spread of new strain
Ealing Council wants as many borough residents to get tested as part of its effort to tackle the Indian variant of the Covid-19 virus which is believed to be increasingly prevalent in the area. As of the 20 May, the borough of Ealing had the third highest infection rate in the capital, not far behind Hounslow which was one of the eight local authority areas in the country being at elevated risk. It is understood that most new cases in Hounslow are of the Indian variant and that it is more transmissible than previous strains of the virus. From Wednesday, 26 May, all testing facilities in Ealing have been changed to testing facilities for enhanced testing which means that PCR rather than lateral flow tests are being used. PCR tests provide extra information which allows the strain of the virus to be identified. The plan is borough-wide, but there will be additional activities taking place in Southall initially. The council has already been working with some local schools in the borough to take part in a programme of enhanced COVID-19 testing. Parents and carers of students at those schools will be contacted directly with details via the school. Residents can without symptoms can walk-up to any site and get a test. The following sites will offer enhanced testing for residents that are not displaying symptoms and those that want a rapid test that gives results within 30 minutes will be able to get one from the centre after they have completed their PCR test. From 9am - 4pm: Residents that are displaying symptoms should isolate immediately and get a PCR test at one of the following facilities: From 8am - 8pm The council and Public Health England are working together to organise roving testing sites in certain areas of the borough, which will include a drop-in PCR test site and door knocking. More information on this will be announced later in the week. As many as 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 don’t have any symptoms but can still pass it on. So even though you feel fine, it’s very important that you take part. If you are 30 years of age or above you can walk-up to CP House in Ealing to get your first vaccination, but booking an appointment is advised to guarantee the jab. To find out if you are eligible and book click here. There will also be an opportunity to get a vaccine on a vaccination bus with the date and time being announced soon.
May 26, 2021
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