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More parts of England could wake up to Level 4 from Boxing Day as fears grow about the spread of a coronavirus mutation.
Ministers will meet to discuss other possible measures on Wednesday after the UK posted its biggest daily increase in coronavirus cases, the reports suggest.
The Daily Telegraph reported that local leaders and health officials in Birmingham met Tuesday night to discuss the possibility of the city moving to Level 4, while other areas could move to Level 3.
Genomic researchers have discovered that the new variant, said to be 70% more infectious than previous mutations, has already spread across the UK with cases identified in Wales and Scotland.
Health chiefs in Cumbria have said the variant is in the county and could be behind the sharp increase in cases there.
There is also a “high probability” that the virus is in Lancashire, the county public health director said.
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer has written to the prime minister to tell him that his party would back any government move to tighten restrictions if that is what scientists recommend.
To try to help contain the virus, community testing is being offered to 17 more areas in England.
The government is ready to announce that rapid response lateral flow tests will be used to detect asymptomatic cases in the new areas.
Lateral flow tests are underway at a Hull sports hall
The move comes after the UK registered another 36,804 confirmed cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, compared with 33,364 cases on Monday.
The increase was the largest daily increase in the UK since the pandemic began.
The 17 new areas join 106 others that are already registered to implement rapid community tests in December or January, including some areas that are now at Level 4, such as London and Medway in Kent.
The additional areas are:
- Boston (Level 3)
- Lincoln (level 3)
- Walsall (level 3)
- Hartlepool (Level 3)
- Durham County (Level 3)
- Gateshead (Level 3)
- Newcastle (level 3)
- North Tyneside (Level 3)
- Northumberland (level 3)
- South Tyneside (Level 3)
- Sunderland (level 3)
- Redcar and Cleveland (Level 3)
- Bristol City (Level 2)
- North Somerset (Level 2)
- South Gloucestershire (Level 3)
- Coventry (level 3)
- Calderdale (Level 3)
Scientists have quickly evaluated the performance of lateral flow tests against the new variant of the coronavirus.
The tests successfully detected the mutation.
Large-scale community testing is a key part of the government’s “COVID-19 Winter Plan.”
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COVID vaccine is very likely to work in a UK variant
The test aims to identify people with coronavirus earlier to break the chain of transmission and keep the virus under control.
The government has said that around one in three people who have coronavirus show no symptoms and therefore could be spreading the virus without knowing it.
Specific community tests are available to all local authorities at Level 4, Level 3, and Level 2 at risk of moving to Level 3, with authorities invited to submit their application.
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Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I am pleased to confirm that 17 more local authorities will soon implement enhanced community testing programs as part of our plan to detect more cases, faster.
“Working together we will help areas where virus levels are highest to reduce their infection rates and break the chains of transmission.”
“About one in three people with coronavirus show no symptoms, so it is essential that we expand testing to help identify those who are infected and infectious, not knowing that they may be spreading the disease.
“We are rolling out community testing more broadly at a rapid pace, with 123 areas now planning to participate. If you are offered community testing in your local area, I highly recommend that you take this opportunity to get tested and protect your local community. “
