COVID-19 in Lewisham - 17 March 2022 update

It’s nearly a month since the Government removed many domestic restrictions as part of its Living with COVID-19 Plan. It’s important to remember, however, that COVID-19 is still with us. In fact, you may have seen in the media over the past week that findings by the Office for National Statistics suggest COVID-19 infection rates are rising again across the country.

It’s important that we all go on doing simple things to protect our families and communities – particularly those at the greatest risk of severe illness if they catch COVID-19.

Five things we can all do to help ourselves and those around us:

• Get vaccinated to reduce your risk of getting seriously ill and to protect others. You can find your nearest walk-in vaccination clinic by using the NHS postcode tool.
• Wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed places.
• Let in fresh air when you meet others indoors, especially if they are at high risk from COVID-19.
• Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds.
• Stay at home and get a PCR test if you have symptoms.

Until the end of this month, you can still get a COVID-19 test for free. If you have one or more of the COVID-19 symptoms (a new, continuous cough; a high temperature; or a loss of your sense of smell or taste), you can book a free PCR test via the NHS website. For anyone who does not have symptoms, rapid lateral flow test kits for use at home can be collected until 31 March from Laurence House, Catford (SE6 4RU), some libraries and many pharmacies. You can find your nearest rapid lateral flow test kit collection point by using the NHS postcode tool.

If you test positive, here’s what you should still do:

• Stay at home and avoid contact with others. You can find guidance on how long you should do this for on the NHS website.
• Avoid inviting anyone into your home and cancel routine medical or dental appointments.
• Tell people you’ve met with recently about your positive test result so they can follow the follow the right guidance.

Here’s what you are advised to do if you live with, or have stayed overnight at the home of, someone who has the virus:

• Try to work from home if you are able to do so.
• Avoid contact with people who may be at high risk of becoming seriously ill if they get COVID-19.
• Wear a face covering if you need to go to a crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated place.
• Try to limit close contact with people outside your household.

Thank you for all that you continue to do to keep Lewisham safe.