London’s largest COVID-19 testing centre opens in Camden
Residents can now access COVID-19 testing at a newly opened facility in Camden.
The test centre at Ramsay Hall on Maple Street, near Euston Road, will be open seven days a week - from 8am to 8pm - and is London’s largest testing facility with the ability to test 23 people at any one time.
Free tests will be provided to anyone with coronavirus symptoms with test results available soon after.
Anyone experiencing symptoms, however mild, should self-isolate and book a test online at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. Symptoms include a new, continuous cough; high temperature; loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.
Anyone who receives a positive test result will need to self-isolate immediately and for 10 days from when their symptoms started. Self-isolating is important because it will prevent the virus from spreading further in the community.
If you need help to self-isolate, together with our voluntary and community sector partners, we are ready to support you. You might need help accessing food or medicine, support with your job and work needs, or help with your children’s education and caring responsibilities. Whatever it is, please call us on 020 7974 4444 (option 9).
Residents on low incomes may also be eligible for a one-off payment of £500 – called a Test and Trace support payment - to support you to self-isolate and to make up for lost income.
Cllr Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council, said: “The launch of this major testing facility is a significant step forward in Camden’s effort against coronavirus, offering our residents long-awaited additional access to testing that will ultimately help to keep our communities safe and the borough moving towards recovery.
“Effective testing is vital because it not only enables people to know whether or not they have Covid-19 soon after a test, but it also helps councils to spot emerging clusters of infection and local issues. With this data, we can build a clearer picture of the situation in Camden and react using the expertise and skills of our local public health and environmental teams.
“If you test positive for coronavirus, you will receive a call from someone at NHS Test and Trace who will ask you to share the contact details of people you’ve been in close recent contact with. Please share this information so that those people can be identified and asked to self-isolate because this will help to control the spread of coronavirus.”
Cllr Gould continued: “We in local government know our communities best and, after repeatedly calling on the Government to follow a more locally led approach, we are now doing our bit to improve the test and trace system that has so far failed to repay residents for the personal sacrifices they have made to slow the spread of this terrible virus.
“The months ahead will continue to be challenging for us all, but with accessible and more locally-led testing readily available in our borough we can work together to catch the virus early, prevent further spread in our communities and a rise of cases in Camden this winter.”
The testing centre on Maple Street is easily accessed without a car and those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout unless exempt, including while travelling to and from the testing centre.
The test site isn’t suitable for anyone that requires step-free access but there are other nearby test sites that are accessible and at-home test kits are available, both of which can be booked at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
Residents are also reminded to keep each other safe by:
- Washing hands regularly with warm, soapy water
- Wearing a face covering in indoor, public spaces and on public transport that covers both the nose and mouth
- Following Government guidelines and restrictions
- Maintaining social distancing rules from people outside your household
- Self-isolating and calling 119 if you develop symptoms
More info on the test and trace support payment can be found at www.camden.gov.uk/apply-for-test-and-trace-support-payment.
You can also find information about the wide range of support we offer at www.camden.gov.uk/coronavirus or by calling 020 7974 4444 (option 9).