Message from Kelly O’Neill, Director of Public Health at Hounslow Council

“Last night we received data from Public Health England which showed cases of coronavirus continue to increase in the borough, with a large rise in numbers over the past two days. Cases are concentrated in Heston, Hounslow Central/West, Cranford and Chiswick, but also recorded in other areas.

“The spread of cases suggests it’s due to wider family and friend groups meeting and not maintaining social distancing.

“We should not forget how awful the situation was for many of our residents earlier this year. More than 230 people lost their lives and thousands of others became seriously ill, with many still feeling the impact today. Coronavirus is still lethal. Lives are still at risk.

“We need everyone to keep their distance from people who do not live in their home. Stay 2 metres away from them at all times where possible.

“Please, do your bit to help reduce the spread and keep your family and friends safe.

“If we do not reduce this contact cases will keep rising, more lives will be put in danger and we risk a local lockdown in the borough.

“You can spread coronavirus without symptoms. Don’t be the one who makes your vulnerable friends and relatives sick.

“People who ignore social distancing are making a choice to put themselves and others at risk. They may be fine, but the people they infect, particularly if they’re elderly or have long-term health conditions such as diabetes or heart problems, may not.”

Continue to follow all Government advice:

• Keep your distance – 2m from others not in your household where possible
• Wash your hands, or use hand sanitiser, regularly and for at least 20 seconds, especially when you get home.
• Don’t touch your face when you’re are not in your home.
• Wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets, on public transport and when in other indoor spaces where keeping apart from others isn’t possible. Please always take a face covering with you when you leave your home in case you need to use it.
• Get a free test if you have any symptoms - a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. Find a local site here.
• Stay at home if you have symptoms, test positive for the virus, or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive.

More information at www.hounslow.gov.uk/coronavirus

Kelly O'Neill

Director of Public Health

To control the spread of coronavirus and reduce the risk of a local lockdown, it’s vital people get tested if they think they have symptoms

There are a range of local testing options available to you, including a mobile testing site with a mixture of walk-in and drive-through appointments available on Monday 17 August and Thursday 20 August at the private car park on Hanworth Road, TW3 3TY. For more information, please click here.

Testing is available at other locations including Twickenham Stadium, Heathrow and in Southall and other areas neighbouring the London Borough of Hounslow which may be more convenient for you. You can also get a home testing kit if you prefer. Find out more at  nhs/coronavirus or by calling 119.

NHS Test and Trace is an essential part of the Government’s response to stopping the spread of coronavirus and to save lives. Get tested and do your bit to protect your friends and family. 

Virus isolation period extended from seven to 10 days

 You must now self-isolate for 10 days if you:

• Have symptoms of COVID-19
• Receive a positive test result

People in your household should continue to self-isolate for 14 days. For more information visit the NHS website

Do you live or work in the borough of Hounslow? We need your help to stop the spread of coronavirus and save lives. Champions can be anyone in the community. You might be the person that everyone knows and trusts. You might be someone who wants to help in whatever way you can- even if this is your first time.

It’s really easy to get involved:

• You sign up to be a Champion.
• We give Champions the latest information about COVID-19.
• Champions share this information with anyone in their community, however they want. It could be with your friends, colleagues or a community group.
• Champions let us know what is and isn’t working. They also help us dispel myths or concerns.

Click here for more information and to sign up.

As part of the Keep Hounslow Safe work, the Council has put together some short videos in community languages to explain the NHS Test and Trace process. 

The videos can be viewed on the Council's YouTube channel here and are available to watch in English, Panjabi, Gujarati, Urdu, Hindi and Polish. 

For more information on the Test and Trace programme in the Borough click here.