Published on
December 18, 2020
Residents living in Nine Elms, which is within the Queenstown ward in Wandsworth, are being invited to apply for a COVID-19 test for people not experiencing symptoms.
It’s part of Wandsworth Council’s strategy to tackle coronavirus by identifying positive cases and reducing the spread of infection to protect lives.
One in four people who have coronavirus never show any symptoms, but they could be infectious.
Lateral flow devices (LFDs) are one of the tools being used to help detect and fight COVID-19.
These tests can be used to detect individuals with no symptoms of the virus that would not otherwise be able to be found.
The borough is one of a number of local authorities who signed up for the roll out of the rapid turnaround, lateral flow tests – which can give results in under an hour, without the need for laboratory processing.
This is in addition to the symptomatic testing that is already available in the borough for those people who are displaying COVID-19 symptoms.
Initially the rapid turnaround testing includes residents aged over 18 living in the ward as they are currently experiencing the highest rates of positive cases of COVID-19.
So if you live in Nine Elms and don’t have symptoms, you can go online and book a test. The testing centre is in the Civic Suite in Wandsworth, next to the Town Hall on Wandsworth High Street.
From Nine Elms you can travel to Wandsworth Town station from Queenstown Road station, or catch 156 from Battersea Park Road or the 87 from Wandsworth Road – direct to Wandsworth High Street and the Civic Suite. You can also catch the 44 bus and walk 5 minutes from Old York Road. More information on travel information can be found on the TFL website.
Cllr Ravi Govindia, Leader of Wandsworth Council, said: “Whilst the number of positive cases in Wandsworth remain low compared to other parts of London we are still seeing an increase.
“I know and appreciate the efforts everyone is making to be responsible and to try and prevent the spread of the virus. But it is now more important than ever for us all to follow the national guidance to keep the rates down and our loved ones safe.
“These rapid tests will help people to get tested and be sure that at that particular moment they are COVID-19 free. Those testing positive can take immediate action and self-isolate – reducing the impact on the wider community.
“Rolling out this kind of testing is a really big undertaking and unlike other boroughs, we do not have support from the army or other agencies.
“We are therefore going to start by focusing on those wards that have the highest number of cases, and this will be rolled out to other parts of the borough as we go along.”
How to book a test if you DO NOT have any COVID-19 symptoms and live in Queenstown ward
If you live in ANY ward in the Wandsworth borough and you DO have COVID-19 symptoms:
Currently anyone who has one of the main symptoms of a high temperature, new cough or loss of taste or smell must self-isolate immediately and book a test and receive their results in 48 hours.
Additional walk-in testing facilities will be opening up in the borough. When you book a test, you will be given the option of a test centre based on nearest location to you and availability. If you are displaying symptoms, apply for a test online.