South African variant of COVID-19 found in South Bermondsey
2,000 households in South Bermondsey are receiving letters from Southwark Council alerting them to to the discovery of a case of the so-called South African variant of COVID-19.
Letters are being delivered to addresses between Grange Road and Southwark Park Road in the north and Lynton Road in the south.
The council says it is asking residents in the wider area to take a test if they have symptoms and to consider taking a test if they don't have symptoms.
Residents who are concerned or have any questions can email publichealth@southwark.gov.uk
"There is no cause for alarm," said Cllr Evelyn Akoto, Southwark's cabinet member for community safety and public health.
"We are writing to residents in a defined area as a precaution because this variant of COVID-19 may be more easily passed between people.
"It is important residents in the area have a test if they have COVID-19 symptoms.
"It is also important they continue to follow the current rules on social distancing and meeting with people from outside their household."
The postcode areas where the council is delivering letters include: SE1 3AW, SE1 3BL, SE1 3BW, SE1 5ER, SE1 5HF, SE1 5HN, SE1 5HP, SE1 5PN, SE1 5PP, SE1 5PR, SE1 5PS, SE1 5PT, SE1 5PU, SE1 5PW, SE1 5PX, SE1 5PY, SE1 5PZ, SE1 5QA, SE1 5QB, SE1 5QD, SE1 5QE, SE1 5QF, SE1 5QH, SE1 5QJ, SE1 5QL, SE1 5QQ, SE1 5QR, SE1 5QT, SE1 5QU, SE1 5QX, SE1 5RA, SE1 5RB, SE1 5RE, SE1 5RG, SE1 5RH, SE1 5RL, SE1 5RN, SE1 5RQ, SE1 5RS, SE1 5RT, SE1 5RU, SE1 5RW, SE1 5RX, SE1 5RY, SE1 5RZ, SE1 5SA, SE1 5SH, SE1 5SJ, SE1 5ST, SE1 5TA, SE1 5TB, SE1 5TD, SE1 5TJ, SE1 5TL, SE1 5TN, SE1 5TW, SE1 5TX, SE1 5TZ, SE1 5XN, SE1 5XU, SE1 5YL, SE16 3RP, SE16 3RS, SE16 3RT
Nearby testing sites for those with symptoms include Burgess Park and Walworth Square, whilst those without symptoms can have a test at the Damilola Taylor Centre in Peckham or at London Bridge Station.
