New areas get surge Covid testing as South African variant hits UK

More parts of the country will see surge testing (Picture: AFP/PA)

More areas in the UK are to be given door-to-door ‘surge’ testing in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus variants.

People in parts of Bristol, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Sefton are being urged to take a Covid-19 test this week and are the latest in a number of areas to see the measures rolled out. 

The Government hopes the move can control and suppress the virus amid fears around the South African and Kent strains, which experts say are more contagious. 

In a statement, the Department for Health and Social Care said: ‘More areas will have additional testing made available to control and suppress the spread of Covid-19 variants. Working in partnership with local authorities, additional surge testing and sequencing is being deployed to targeted areas around Worcestershire WR3, an area in Sefton PR9, and areas in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, where Covid-19 variants have been found.’

The statement did not clarify which new variants had been found where.

It comes after measures were introduced in two parts of Worcestershire, when the South African variant was found there.

Similar moves have also been taken in parts of London, Birmingham, Merseyside, Wales, Hertfordshire and Surrey, among others.

A member of the public is tested for Covid-19 at a mobile testing unit in Fernhill Heath, near Worcester (Picture: PA)

The Government statement continued: ‘Surge testing is in addition to existing extensive testing, and in combination with following the lockdown rules and remembering hands-face-space, will help to monitor and suppress the spread of the virus. 

‘Positive cases will be sequenced for genomic data to help understand Covid-19 variants and their spread within these areas.

‘People living in targeted areas with these locations are strongly encouraged to take a Covid-19 test this week, whether they are showing symptoms or not.’ 

The Department of Health is advising people with symptoms should book a test in the usual way, while those without can visit their local authority website for more information.

The surge testing which began in Kent ME15 on Monday is now complete.

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MORE : Two new areas find cases of South Africa variant as surge testing begins