Surge testing launched as South African variant is detected in Bucks

Following extensive surveillance the South African variant of Covid-19 has been discovered in Wooburn Green, Buckinghamshire.

This case cannot be tracked back to international travel, the person who tested positive is currently self-isolating in line with NHS guidelines.

Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor for NHS Test and Trace said: “As part of our proactive sequencing work, we know that the new variant of Covid-19, first detected in South Africa, has been identified in a number of areas across England.

"A small proportion of these cases have no link to international travel suggesting that there are some cases in the community.In response to this, we are ramping up testing in targeted areas, so we can gather more information and effectively monitor any further community transmission.”

Buckinghamshire Council is encouraging every person living and working in the HP10 postcode area, over the age of 16, to take a PCR Covid-19 test this week, even if they are not showing symptoms. Children over the age of five who live in this postcode can also be tested at the request of their parents or carers.

The Council is delivering home test kits to all households in Wooburn Green and parts of Flackwell Heath from Thursday 25 February until Tuesday 2 March. These tests can be taken at home and will then be collected later that day by NHS volunteers.

Volunteers will be posting leaflets if nobody is home at the houses in these areas explaining how residents can receive a test. Wooburn Green area residents can visit a nearby Mobile Testing Unit (MBU), more information on obtaining a test is available on the Bucks Council website here.

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health at Buckinghamshire Council said: “We have a team of volunteers made up of council staff and our partners who will be out in the Wooburn Green area and parts of Flackwell Heath over the next five to seven days delivering tests, door to door.

"Everyone involved will have had a Lateral Flow test before they go out, will be wearing PPE to ensure both their safety and those of our residents, and all will have official identification.

"None of our volunteers will be asking for any personal information, bank account details, passwords, PIN numbers, a payment or asking you to call a premium rate number. Volunteers will also not need to go into any houses.”

Residents with Coronavirus symptoms are advised to organise testing via the government website here or by calling 119.

There is currently no evidence to suggest that this variant causes more serious illness than others.

Jane O’Grady Director of Public Health for Buckinghamshire said: “The UK has one of the best genomic systems in the world which has allowed us to detect the variant originating in South Africa here in the Wooburn Green area. I urge everyone offered a test to take it up to help us to monitor the virus in our communities and to help suppress and control the spread of this variant.