Update on COVID-19 variant in Southwark

15 March 2021

Like in a number of areas of the country, a COVID-19 variant, known as the South African variant, has recently been found in Southwark, in the Faraday Ward. Southwark Council is working closely with Public Health England in response.

We are delivering COVID-19 tests to properties in the immediate area and are asking residents in those homes to take a test. We are also delivering letters to about 2,000 properties in a wider area. We’re asking residents in the wider area to take a test if they either have no symptoms and leave the house regularly for essential reasons or if they do have symptoms. We are also providing support to any residents in the area who are clinically extremely vulnerable.

Residents who are concerned or have any questions can email publichealth@southwark.gov.uk or call 020 7525 5000 and choose option 3.

Cllr Evelyn Akoto, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Health said: “There is no cause for alarm. The variant does not appear to cause more severe symptoms than the regular COVID-19 strain, nor does it yet appear to be resistant to the vaccines. However, it is important that we identify how far, if at all, the variant has spread. If you’re contacted by the council by letter, please take a test if we ask you to. You can also contact us if you have any questions or concerns.”

Further advice for residents

We’re asking residents in the wider area (postcodes below) to take a test if they either have no symptoms and leave the house regularly for essential reasons, or if they do have symptoms.

Postcodes in the wider area

SE17 2AL

SE17 2FP

SE17 2PL

SE17 3UD

SE17 2AP

SE17 2FQ

SE17 2PN

SE17 3UE

SE17 2AR

SE17 2GP

SE17 2PP

SE17 3UQ

SE17 2AS

SE17 2GT

SE17 2PQ

SE5 0AB

SE17 2AT

SE17 2HA

SE17 2PR

SE5 0AJ

SE17 2AU

SE17 2HH

SE17 2PS

SE5 0DD

SE17 2AW

SE17 2HJ

SE17 2PT

SE5 0DE

 

SE17 2AX

SE17 2HL

SE17 2PU

SE5 0DF

SE17 2AY

SE17 2HN

SE17 2PW

SE5 0DH

 

SE17 2BE

SE17 2NA

SE17 2PX

SE5 0DJ

SE17 2BH

SE17 2NF

SE17 2PY

SE5 0DQ

SE17 2BJ

SE17 2NG

SE17 2QA

SE5 0EN

SE17 2BT

SE17 2NH

SE17 2QB

SE5 0EW

SE17 2BU

SE17 2NJ

SE17 2QE

SE5 0EX

SE17 2EX

SE17 2NN

SE17 3EQ

SE5 0EY

SE17 2EY

SE17 2NP

SE17 3FT

SE5 0EZ

SE17 2EZ

SE17 2NR

SE17 3HB

SE5 0NE

SE17 2FF

SE17 2NW

SE17 3HD

SE5 0NF

SE17 2FG

SE17 2PE

SE17 3HE

SE5 0NP

SE17 2FH

SE17 2PF

SE17 3HH

SE5 0NR

SE17 2FJ

SE17 2PG

SE17 3HJ

SE5 0NS

SE17 2FL

SE17 2PH

SE17 3HQ

SE5 8JA

SE17 2FN

SE17 2PJ

SE17 3UB

 

Get tested if you have symptoms

Book a free test if you have any COVID-19 symptoms. These include:

  • a high temperature
  • a new, continuous cough
  • if you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste or it’s changed
  • if you feel generally unwell and fatigued

Book a test on the GOV.UK website

There are testing sites nearby, including sites at:

  • Burgess Park car park, Albany Road, London, SE5 0DG

Get tested if you don’t have symptoms

If you don’t have symptoms of COVID-19, and you have to leave home for essential reasons, we strongly recommend you have a test. You can pick up a test to do at home, from the Southwark Resource Centre between 9am and 5pm, until Friday 19 March. You will need to return your test to the resource centre, once complete.

Where to pick up a test from (if you don’t have symptoms)

Southwark Resource Centre, Hitard Court, 10 Bradenham Close, London SE17 2QB

If you’re clinically extremely vulnerable

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, we can deliver a test for you. Please call 020 7525 5000 and choose Option 3 to arrange a delivery.

Remember to follow the current guidance

Thank you for continuing to follow the current guidance. Please remember:

  • only leave home for food, medical reasons (including getting a COVID-19 test), exercise or work
  • do not travel unless necessary
  •  do not meet people socially unless you live together or are part of a support bubble
  • you can socialise with one person from another household in an open public space
  • hands, face and space: wash your hands regularly, wear a face covering when required and keep your distance from other people

Find more information about COVID-19 on the GOV.UK website

 

Page last updated: 14 February 2024

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