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The UK is launching so-called “surge tests” in several places where additional cases of the South African variant of the coronavirus have been found. The government, in a statement on additional test sites on Monday, said that a “small number of cases” identified through extensive surveillance “cannot be traced to international travel.”
All cases are currently self-isolating and contacts are being traced. Residents over the age of 16 living in various postcodes located in East England, London, North West, South East and West Midlands are encouraged to get tested regardless of whether they have symptoms.
The government will deploy mobile units that will offer PCR testing to residents who must leave their home due to work or other essential reasons, and local authorities are also equipped to provide additional home test kits.
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The additional trial measures are in addition to the already-in-force travel bans and strict stay-at-home orders that were issued after the variant cases were discovered.
“It is vital that we do everything possible to stop the transmission of this variant and I strongly urge everyone in these areas to get tested, whether they have symptoms or not,” said Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock, in the statement released on Monday. . “The best way to stop the spread of the virus, including the new variants, is to stay home and follow current restrictions. Until more people are vaccinated, this is the only way we will control the spread of the virus.”
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To date, Public Health England has identified more than 100 cases of the variant. Government officials said there is no reason to suspect that currently approved vaccines would not offer protection against the variant.
“The UK is a world leader in COVID-19 genomics, and because of this we have been able to identify new strains of the virus and take decisive action,” Hancock’s statement said. “We continue to closely monitor the new variants, here and around the world, and in addition to our already extensive test service, we are making surge testing capacity available to affected areas.”
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The hope of avoiding another spike in cases has focused on the distribution of coronavirus vaccines. The UK announced on Monday that the vaccine has been offered to residents in all eligible nursing homes in England, totaling around 10,000. The UK has seen more than 3.8 million cases of the disease and more than 106,360 deaths.
