A positive case of the South African variant of Covid-19 has been detected in the Bramley area, north of Basingstoke.

Hampshire County Council has quickly introduced rapid local testing, known as surge testing, in areas where cases of new COVID-19 variants have been detected.

Here is everything we know so far.

What is a South African Covid variant?

All viruses mutate. Different countries are seeing rises in new mutations of Covid-19. The South African variant, known as N501Y, is believed to be more contagious than other forms of the virus.

However, it does not appear to cause more serious illness in the vast majority of people.

How did it come to Bramley?

The county council has not revealed how the virus reached Bramley, but it has said only one person has tested positive for the mutant virus.

Simon Bryant, Director of Public Health at Hampshire County Council 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, helped by the fact that national restrictions are in place with most people staying at home and adhering to the Government guidance of ‘hands-face-space.’”

What should people in Bramley do?

As there is a national lockdown going on, the likelihood of spread of mutant virus is very low. People are advised to continue the lockdown restrictions, while the government has introduced rapid testing in certain postcodes.

Mr Bryant said: “Following confirmation of the case and in line with government guidelines, the County Council has begun work with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Public Health England, our local NHS, as well as the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), to arrange a localised ‘surge testing’ programme in the area. This is due to begin next week.

“The rapid local testing programme is primarily a precautionary measure designed to help the government to better understand and prevent the spread of new variants across the country.”

What is surge testing?

Surge testing takes place in addition to existing extensive testing, and will help to monitor and suppress further spread of the virus. People living in targeted areas will be contacted and encouraged to take this additional test.

  • You do not need to travel to a testing site or book a test.
  • A testing kit will be delivered in an envelope which will contain a testing kit and a box.
  • The box is for you to construct and place your completed tests in for collection by us.
  • The test is free, you will not be asked to pay or provide any financial information.
  • You will be provided with instructions on how to register, carry out and repackage your test.
  • Everyone over the age of 16 is strongly encouraged to take a test.
  • The testing team will not be able to complete the testing for you and they will not need to enter your household.
  • The testing team will leave enough kits for everyone in your household to complete the tests and will return later in the day to collect the completed kits. Your sample will be taken to a laboratory so that we can test for the variant.
  • If you have tested positive within the last 90 days you should not participate.
  • If you have had a test recently and the result has been negative, you are asked to test again because this sample is specifically being genome sequenced for the variant. Genome sequencing is a scientific/ laboratory process which will help public health agencies understand the way the virus behaves and is evolving.
  • You will usually get a text or email with your result when it's ready. Most people get their result the next day, but it may take up to 3 days.

What should I do if I develop symptoms after the test?

If you have symptoms of Covid-19 (a high temperature, a new and persistent cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste), however mild, you should self-isolate for at least 10 days from when your symptoms started.

You should also get another test straight away through the NHS Test and Trace Service by calling 119 or visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.

Once you have received your test result, you should follow the guidance on test results.

Which are the targeted postcodes?

RG265AA; RG265BF; RG265DY; RG265JD; RG265UJ; RG265XD; RG265AB; RG265BH; RG265DZ; RG265JU; RG265UL; RG265XE; RG265AD; RG265BL; RG265EQ; RG265NJ; RG265UN; RG265XF; RG265AE; RG265BN; RG265FN; RG265NQ; RG265UP; RG265XG; RG265AF

RG265BP; RG265FW; RG265NW; RG265UQ; RG265XH; RG265AG; RG265BS; RG265FY; RG265QF; RG265UR; RG265XJ; RG265AH;RG265BT; RG265FZ; RG265QG; RG265US; RG265XL; RG265AJ; RG265BU; RG265GA; RG265QQ; RG265UT; RG265XN; RG265AN; RG265BW; RG265GB

RG265QX; RG265UU; RG265XP; RG265AP; RG265BX; RG265GF; RG265QY; RG265UW; RG265XQ; RG265AQ; RG265BY; RG265GG; RG265QZ; RG265UX; RG265AR; RG265BZ; RG265GH; RG265SZ; RG265UY; RG265AS; RG265DA; RG265GL; RG265TE; RG265UZ; RG265AU; RG265DD; RG265GN

RG265TG; RG265WF; RG265AX; RG265DR; RG265GP; RG265UE; RG265WG; RG265AY; RG265DS; RG265GQ; RG265UF; RG265WH; RG265AZ; RG265DT; RG265GR; RG265UG; RG265WJ; RG265BB; RG265DU; RG265GU; RG265UH; RG265XB

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