Haringey coronavirus (COVID-19) updates
One in 10 tested at Haringey's new asymptomatic site told they have Covid-19
Nearly a tenth of those coming to Haringey’s Covid-19 rapid testing sites on the first full day it opened to the general public tested positive for the virus.
Some 20 out of 241 (8.3%) taking the lateral flow tests for people not showing any of the symptoms, were informed they had it.
More widely, it is estimated that around one in three carriers do not know they have coronavirus – but they risk passing it on to others.
To help identify those and reduce the spread, Haringey Council has set up two rapid testing sites in the borough.
It is a walk-in service so people do not need to book for a test, which is free and will give the results within a few hours.
The Covid-secure test sites are at:
Tottenham Community Sports Centre, 701 – 703 High Road, N17 8AD.
And
48 Station Road, Wood Green, N22 7TY.
The sites are open from noon until 7pm Tuesdays – Fridays and 10am until 5pm on Saturdays.
Dr Will Maimaris, Haringey’s Director of Public Health, said: “The number of cases in Haringey has gone up significantly since early December, which is why we now find ourselves in lockdown.
“A lot of people simply don’t know they have it and while they may be fine, the people they pass it onto may not be so lucky.
“For the people who have tested positive, it means staying indoors for a few days, but that action alone can save someone else’s life.
“And if they are not spreading it because they are in isolation that means we are one small step to coming out of lockdown with our freedoms returned and our local businesses reopening.
“Anyone can take a test, but I’d particularly like to see any essential workers (from childcare workers to supermarket workers and transport workers) who may have more day-to-day dealings with people outside their households, even in lockdown, taking them.”
The tests are carried out with a throat and a nasal swab.
The sites are not for people who have shown any of the Covid-19 symptoms, that is a new and constant cough, a high temperature, or a loss or change to their sense of smell of taste.
If you have any of the symptoms you should book an appointment via NHS 119 or book a test online (external link) do not come to the rapid test sites.
Park facilities to close during national lockdown
All council-run ball courts, multi-use games areas (MUGAs), outdoor gyms and skate parks in Haringey's green open spaces are closing, with picnic benches being cordoned off, in line with the Government’s national lockdown guidance.
Please bear with us while we implement these changes as it may take a few days to complete.
We ask all park users to not use any such equipment or facilities in the meantime to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
There will also be no public events held in our parks during this time.
Playgrounds will remain open though for children and young families, as will park cafes but for takeaways only.
The toilets in many of our parks are managed by cafe leaseholders and they will open as the cafes do, and when it is safe to do so.
The council-run facilities in Finsbury Park are though open. These toilets are cleaned regularly, and have attendants managing them, throughout the day.
When visiting one of our parks, you can only exercise in the following circumstances, and should minimise the time spent outside of your home, to reduce the risk of transmission among the wider community.
You can exercise:
- by yourself
- with the people you live with
- with your support bubble (if you are legally permitted to form one)
- in a childcare bubble where providing childcare
- or, when on your own, with 1 person from another household
This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside of your local area.
Organised, outdoor sports activity for people with disabilities will also be continuing.
Dogs should always be kept on leads to ensure you are able to follow social distancing rules and allow park users to enjoy our green open spaces safely.
We know how important our parks and green, open spaces are for our residents’ mental health and wellbeing.
Thank you once more to everyone who has been using our parks, and the facilities within them, responsibly.
Please remember to keep a safe distance from others when you are at the park.
For further information, see a summary of what you can – and cannot do – during the national lockdown over on the Government website (external link), where you can also find guidance on exercising and meeting other people (external link).
Remote learning for schools
All primary and secondary schools and sixth-form colleges in Haringey have now moved to remote learning, in line with the national lockdown rules.
Children of key workers and vulnerable children are still able to attend their school or college as normal.
Exams and vocational assessments will go ahead as planned this month (January 2021).
As a council, we are working closely with schools to support them through these arrangements, which are due to last at least until February half-term.
We have also launched our Digital Divide Appeal in partnership with Haringey Giving (external link) to help support children and young people who don’t have regular access to laptops, WiFi and other technological support at home.
Early years settings – such as alternative provision, nurseries and special schools – will remain open, while vulnerable children and children of key workers can continue to use childminders, registered childcare and other childcare activities (including wraparound care).
For the purposes of informal childcare, parents can form a childcare bubble with one other household where the child is under 14. Nannies can continue to provide in-the-home services too.
University students should return to face-to-face learning as planned and be tested twice upon arrival or self-isolate for 10 days if they are undertaking training and studying for the following courses:
- Education (initial teacher training)
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Subjects allied to Medicine/Health
- Social Work
- Veterinary Science
- Courses which require Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) assessments and/or mandatory activity which is scheduled for January and cannot be rescheduled
Students not studying these courses should, wherever possible, remain where they are and start their term online until at least mid-February.
See the Government guidance on returning safely to higher education in the Spring term (external link).
Those eligible to attend are allowed to leave their homes for childcare or education reasons.
The government said these restrictions are expected to last until the middle of February, if the situation in hospitals improves.
For further information, see the following links on the Government website (external link):
- Childcare (external link)
- Going to school, college and university (external link)
- Universities (external link)
See also case numbers and rates, health advice - including tests and vaccines, Council service updates, financial and other support for residents, business support, how you can help and COVID scams and misinformation.
Visit the Gov.UK and NHS websites for more help and support.
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