Further targeted areas will have additional testing made available to control and suppress the potential spread of the COVID-19 variant first identified in South Africa.
Working in partnership with the local authority, additional testing and genomic sequencing is being deployed to targeted areas in Sandwell (DY4 and B69), where the COVID-19 variant first identified in South Africa has been found.
The increased testing is being introduced in addition to existing extensive testing. In combination with the public following current lockdown rules and ‘Hands. Face. Space’ advice, it will help to monitor and suppress the spread of the virus. Positive cases will be sequenced for genomic data to help increase our understanding of COVID-19 variants and their spread within these areas.
Enhanced contact tracing will be used for individuals testing positive with a ‘variant of concern’. This is where contact tracers look back over an extended period in order to determine the route of transmission.
People living within these targeted areas are strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 test when offered, whether they are showing symptoms or not.