40,000 asymptomatic tests so far for people who can’t work from home in Kensington and Chelsea

Published: Monday 15 March 2021

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Over 40,000 rapid community tests have been carried out for those who can’t work from home by Kensington and Chelsea Council since community testing began in early December. 

Since the January national lockdown the Council has been specifically targeting key workers and those who cannot work from home, who have no symptoms.  Since 8 March parents and guardians of children at school or college and their childcare and support bubbles can also get tested.

With 40,282 tests conducted by the end of Friday 12 March, 1,009 people were found to have Coronavirus, meaning a positivity rate of 2.5 per cent.

Welcoming the news, Cllr Cem Kemahli, Lead Member for Public Health, said:

“We have carried out 40,000 asymptomatic tests in three months. This shows the care the community is taking to protect one another and we are seeing the results in lower transmission rates.

“This week we had the first taste of normality with children returning to school and we have opened up our testing to parents or guardians of school age children to help keep coronavirus rates down.

“If you are a key worker, parent of a schoolchild or you cannot work from home, and you have no Coronavirus symptoms please get tested regularly.”

There are three testing centres in the borough:

Kensington Leisure Centre, Silchester Road, W10 6EX

8am to 4.30pm, Monday and Wednesday

10am to 4pm Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, W8 7NX

8am to 5.30pm Monday and Wednesday, 8.30am to 5.30pm Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 10am to 4pm at weekends.

Chelsea Old Town Hall, King’s Road, SW3 5EE

8am to 4.30pm, Monday and Wednesday

10am to 4pm Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Currently Kensington and Chelsea has the lowest Coronavirus case rate in London at 23.7 per 100,000 (3 to 9 March)

If you do have symptoms you can book a Coronavirus test online or by calling 119