South African Covid variant identified in Hampshire

People in part of Hampshire are going to be asked to take coronavirus tests after a single case of the South African variant was confirmed.

It was found in Bramley, north of Basingstoke.

Surge testing, which has been used in a number of areas across the country in attempts to get on top of new variants of the disease, will begin next week.

Hampshire's director of public health, Simon Bryant, said: "I appreciate that this news may be worrying for the local community.

"But it’s really important to understand that the risk of transmission from this single case is considered to be very low.

"Residents will be able to use a postcode checker"

"There is no evidence this particular variant causes more severe illness, or that the regulated vaccines do not protect against it.

The local testing will involve all residents over the age of 16 in the identified area being asked to undertake a Covid-19 test.

Details of how this will work will be published on Hampshire County Council’s website.

Residents will be able to use a postcode checker to identify whether or not they will be provided with a test.