Lambeth council today (25 June) appealed again to residents and visitors to the borough to get vaccinated and to take regular Covid-19 tests, saying that between 50 to 80 new cases are being reported in the borough each day – a rate not seen since October last year during the autumn wave.
The number of daily Covid-19 cases recorded in Lambeth has risen by 50% since the start of June, with case rates rising to 150 per 100,000 people.
The council is asking:
- All residents who have not already done so to book a vaccination.
- Book a PCR test – especially 18-to-35-year-olds because of rising rates among younger people.
- Anyone who uses public transport, goes to work or socialises in Lambeth should use the freely available regular LFD rapid tests at least twice a week.
Data suggests more than 90 percent of cases are linked to the Delta variant, which is thought to be more transmissible than previous Covid-19 strains.
Cllr Jim Dickson, joint council cabinet member for health and social care, said: “The rise in cases is a serious concern, especially given that the Delta variant appears to be easier to spread between people.
“Younger people account for the majority of the new cases being reported, which is why we urge anyone in this age group to get a PCR test and get vaccinated as soon as they can.
“It is vital for everyone in our borough to be vigilant against the threat of Covid-19.
“The pandemic is not over yet and not all our vulnerable residents have received their first or second dose of the vaccine.”
Anyone aged over 18 is now eligible for a vaccine. There are three ways to get vaccinated in the borough:
- Visit the council’s health and wellbeing bus or one of our walk-in clinics. The latest bus timetable and details of walk-in clinics, including who can attend, are at selondonccg.nhs.uk
- Book online or by phone – new appointments are added regularly. To book an appointment online, visit nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccine or call 119 free of charge
- Book through your GP.
Lambeth council and NHS Test and Trace have set up enhanced testing in Brixton, Clapham, Stockwell, West Norwood and Vauxhall. This includes testing positive cases to discover which variant is involved.
Cllr Dickson said: “While the recent rise in cases is concerning, regular testing is going to be crucial.
“If you do an LFT rapid test regularly, it will reduce the risk.
“We are asking people to do this twice a week if they regularly work or socialise in the borough.
“This protects your friends, family and, if you are working in hospitality, it protects your customers as well. Regular testing is crucial to ensuring we can enjoy a safe summer.”
