A new Covid-19 test centre opened in Lewisham on February 15, bringing the number of test centres in the borough to three.

The latest one locates at the Deptford Lounge and provides rapid tests to local residents.

Lewisham council says rapid tests are now easily accessible to residents across the borough.

Local residents will be able to book a test at the Deptford-based centre between Mondays to Saturdays, and the council affirms that the testing process and the time leading up to the result is less than an hour.

The council said: “Rapid tests can be completed in as quickly as ten minutes and it usually takes no longer than 30 minutes for the results to be delivered by email or text message.”

Seven thousand people tested

In light of the new centre, the council is urging the community to fully use its rapid testing facility, particularly those who are more vulnerable to the coronavirus.

The council said: “We are calling on residents who need to leave their home for work, to volunteer or are unpaid carers to get tested twice a week to help protect those around them from COVID 19.

“If you are working outside of your home, out in the community or coming into contact with customers, you are thought to be more at risk of spreading the virus.”

Director of Public Health for Lewisham, Dr Catherine Mbema, also believes that the rapid test centre will induce greater protection against the coronavirus as the public use the service.

Mbema said: “Since we introduced rapid testing in Lewisham, over seven thousand residents have received a rapid test at one of our sites.

She added: “By getting a regular rapid test people who need to leave their homes for work, volunteering or caring responsibilities are helping to protect the people around them.”

Apart from the Deptford Lounge test centre, Lewisham also has two other ones.

The Civic Suite in Catford was the first to open on January 24, followed by the Green Man in Downham just a day later.

If you are a Lewisham resident, looking to book a Covid-19 test, please visit: https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/coronavirus-covid-19/get-tested-for-covid19/community-testing-for-covid19