More testing sites open in Wandsworth to cope with surge testing
This week all residents over 11-years-old who live, work, or travel through the borough, as well as neighbouring Lambeth, were asked to take a PCR coronavirus test after up to 70 cases of the South African variant were found in the two boroughs.
In Wandsworth, people struggled to book appointments at the testing centres yesterday.
On Wednesday the council announced three extra testing sites at Putney Leisure Centre, a car park at the rear of 67 Fernlea Road, and a car park at the rear of Martley House, Patmore Street.
These sites will be open from 9am until 3pm.
A spokesman said: “We are grateful to all those that have made the effort to get tested so far and are aware that due to the wonderful response to the call for everyone to get tested the system and waiting times has, at times, proved to be frustrating.
“To make this easier for all, from April 15 we will have extra sites open for testing and there are now 23 pharmacies taking bookings for PCR testing.”
Residents can still get tested at the original sites at Mount Clare House in Roehampton, Tooting Leisure Centre, and Wandsworth Town Hall Car Park.
Residents can find a list of 23 participating pharmacies where PCR tests can be booked here: www.wandsworth.gov.uk/surge-testing
You can also collect home tests from Battersea Sports Centre, Monday to Friday between 7:30am and 4pm, and 10am to 2pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Room 75 at Wandsworth Town Hall is also providing home test kits between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm Saturday and Sunday.
Completed tests should be returned to the same collection site.
The council has reminded people to take a PCR test even if they have no symptoms as these can identify specific variants.
People who have had the vaccine should also get tested.
If anyone tests positive, they must self-isolate immediately and pass on details of their contacts to NHS Test and Trace when contacted. Positive tests will then be examined in a laboratory to determine whether any of them are the variant first identified in South Africa.
You can book an appointment at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/surge-testing or call 020 8871 6555 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm for help.
You can also can order a home delivery of a PCR test as part of the variant of concern surge testing in the borough https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
Completed test kits should be returned to community collection points – Battersea Sports Centre and Wandsworth Town Hall (Room 75) – so they can be processed as part of the surge testing operation.
Please do not return these test kits by post.
If you have symptoms, you can get tested at one of several symptomatic local test sites across Wandsworth. Again, you must book an appointment at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119.
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