Travel testing: Shapps reveals ‘concerns’ over South African variant

Households in the Goldsworth Park and St John areas of Woking will asked to carry out a COVID-19 test regardless of whether or not they have symptoms. And the scheme is expected to be extended to Egham within the next few days.

Households in the Goldsworth Park and St John areas of Woking will asked to carry out a COVID-19 test regardless of whether or not they have symptoms. And the scheme is expected to be extended to Egham within the next few days.

The “surge testing” programme is to closely monitor any community spread of the new variant and to restrict further transmission, according to Surrey’s Local Resilience Forum.

There is currently no evidence the variant, known as VOC-202012/02, causes more severe illness or is more resistant to current coronavirus vaccines.

“This is a precautionary measure – the more cases of the variant we find, the better chance we have at stopping it from spreading further,” director of Public Health for Surrey Ruth Hutchinson said in a statement.

We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

“By playing your part and taking the test, you’ll be helping to keep your community and your loved ones safe.

“It’s really important to say that there is currently no evidence that this variant causes more severe illness, so you don’t need to worry.”

Dr Alison Barnett, regional director at Public Health England South East, added: “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.

“The most important thing is that people continue to follow the guidance that is in place – limit your number of contacts, wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, keep your distance and cover your face. If you test positive by any method, you must isolate to stop the spread of the virus.”

Source: Read Full Article