Residents in W7 and W13 have been thanked for their ‘amazing community spirit’ in helping the council to carry out enhanced testing for the South African variant of COVID-19.

A total of 8,968 COVID-19 tests have been completed and returned for testing. Any samples found to be positive for coronavirus by NHS Test and Trace have been sent off for further analysis to determine which strain of the virus those people had. The council is awaiting confirmation of the results of this extra testing by NHS Test and Trace.

This ‘surge testing’ operation was part of a national programme to better understand the community spread of a variant of COVID-19, which originated in South Africa.

As part of the home testing, 5,952 were completed and returned to the council’s teams. In addition, 2,281 people used a special testing site in Dean Gardens, with a further 735 completed tests carried out at local schools, nurseries, and shared accommodation.

The number of tests carried out highlighted the willingness of local people to play their part in the testing operation and to help authorities to understand more about COVID-19 infections in the area.

Anyone who was found to be positive will have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace and asked to self-isolate. People found to have the South African variant will be contacted and told their results.

Council leader Julian Bell said: “Since the pandemic started, the people of Ealing have shown time and time again their amazing community spirit. I want to thank everyone who took a test for continuing to do their bit to keep Ealing safe from this deadly virus.

“The response to this testing operation has been incredible and we are delighted so many people took part. Our teams delivering and collecting tests have had a brilliant reaction on the doorsteps with people ready and willing to help.”