All adult residents in the EN10 area of Broxbourne are encouraged to get a COVID-19 test over the next two weeks whether they have symptoms or not.
This follows confirmation that there is an isolated number of cases of the South African variant in the local area.
The main aim of this significant increase in testing capacity is to find any other cases and help to suppress this new variant from spreading any further in the local community.
From Tuesday 2 February, residents who are over 18 years old and live in the ‘EN10’ postcode will be provided with a leaflet through their letterboxes to explain how they can get tested, in the following ways:
- extra mobile testing capacity has been set up at the Broxbourne Lido site and Paradise Wildlife Park (in EN10, Broxbourne) and;
- home testing kits will be available to pick up from Wormley Community Centre and Hoddesdon Library
From Thursday 4 February, all households will be directly contacted at their doorstep and will be provided with a home testing kit from a public health or licensed officer (with hi-visibility uniform or valid ID).
Jim McManus, Director of Public Health at Hertfordshire County Council, said:
It is vitally important that we test as many adults as we can in this local area, whether showing symptoms or not. This is an important step in containing this new South African variant of COVID-19 from spreading further in our local communities.
Although this new variant of COVID-19 is thought to be more easily transmitted, there is currently no evidence that this variant causes more severe illness, or that the regulated vaccine would not protect against it.
Lewis Cocking, Leader of Broxbourne Council, said:
Testing plays an important role in stopping the spread of the virus. Testing, even when you do not have symptoms, helps identify people with the virus so that they can isolate and avoid spreading it to others in the community.
I don’t want people to be alarmed at this new development. It is an isolated case but I am urging all members of the public that live in the EN10 postcode area, who are not showing symptoms, to either book an appointment online or use a home testing kit.
How can local residents can get a test?
Full details can be found on Hertfordshire County Council's www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/en10
How many positive cases have there been in EN10, Broxbourne?
1