Targeted COVID testing in Ruislip after S African variant identified

It cannot be traced to international travel, and the infected person has completed self-isolation while contacts have been traced and told to self-isolate.

Now, though, every person aged over 16 living and working in a targeted area within the HA4 postcode is being asked to take a PCR COVID-19 test, whether or not they are showing symptoms.

Even those who have been vaccinated are being encouraged to take a test.   

People with symptoms should book a test in the usual way by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or calling 119.  

Between Monday (10) and Sunday, May 23, Hillingdon Council will be offering additional PCR testing for people without symptoms living or working in the targeted area.

This will be available at South Ruislip Young People’s Centre, Victoria Road, or Haste Hill Golf Course, The Drive, Northwood, daily between 8am and 8pm. 

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Attendees are required to book an appointment in advance at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/surge-testing.   

Anyone who is unable to attend a testing site is asked to contact the council’s community hub for a home visit. 

There is currently no evidence to suggest this variant is more serious than others, or that the regulated vaccines would not protect against it.   

The community hub will contact those who test positive to offer a range of support.

For more information on this service, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/community-support or call 020 3949 5786 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm).   

For more information on the enhanced testing in the HA4 area (including a map of the targeted area), visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/enhanced-testing  

Cllr Ian Edwards, leader of Hillingdon Council, said: “Like we recently saw in Hayes, this enhanced testing has been triggered by a single case, and this is a precautionary measure to better understand the extent of this variant in the community.”