Rapid coronavirus testing now available for people not displaying symptoms
By Owen Sheppard, Local Democracy Reporter
Kensington and Chelsea council has announced that rapid testing is now available for people who are not displaying Covid symptoms.
You can visit Kensington Town Hall in Hornton Street, or Kensington Leisure Centre in Silchester Road, to receive a lateral-flow test.
These take about five minutes to carry out, and results are provided within an hour.
The latest government figures show that Kensington and Chelsea’s infection rate was 357 positive cases per 100,000 people, as of Friday, December 18.
The lateral flow tests can give confidence to people who are not displaying symptoms, but worry they may have been exposed to the virus, that they can go to work or see people in their support bubble.
However, people who are displaying Covid symptoms, such as a temperature or cough, should not visit these centres. They should instead order a test online via the NHS’s website.
The council said both centres are open seven-days-a-week, except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Anyone who tests positive must follow public health guidance and self-isolate.
The council also advises that anyone who tests positive from a lateral flow test may also want to order one of the standard “PCR” tests from the NHS website, as the lateral flow tests can produce false positives.
Testing at the Kensington Leisure Centre will be open at the following times over Christmas:
- Christmas Eve – 10am to 3pm
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – Closed
- Sunday, December 27 – 10am to 4pm
- Monday, December 28 – 10am to 4pm
- Tuesday, December 29 – 10am to 4pm
- Wednesday, December 30 – 10am to 4pm
- Thursday, December 31 – 10am to 3pm
- Friday, January 1 – Closed
- Saturday, January 2 – 10am to 4pm
Testing at Kensington Town Hall will be open:
- Christmas Eve – 9am to 3pm
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – Closed
- Sunday, December 27 – 10am to 4pm
- Monday, December 28 – 10am to 4pm
- Tuesday, December 29 – 8.30am to 6pm
- Wednesday, December 30 – 8.30am to 6pm
- Thursday, December 31 – 10am to 3pm
- Friday, January 1 – Closed
- Saturday, January 2 – 10am to 4pm
