SURGE testing has been introduced as a ‘variation of concern’ of Covid-19 has been found in Worcestershire.

There have been no reported cases of the so-called ‘Indian variant’ in the Tenbury area.

Extensive surveillance of Covid-19 has identified a small number of cases of a Covid-19 variant in Worcestershire.

All cases are now self-isolating and robust contact tracing has taken place to trace their contacts and ask them to self-isolate. These cases have not been traced back to international travel.

Working in partnership with NHS Test and Trace, every person living or working in the specified testing area within Redditch over the age of 16 is strongly encouraged to take a PCR Covid-19 test, even if they are not showing symptoms. This also applies in Tenbury and throughout the county where people have symptoms.

Testing will also be offered to children, however testing of children is at the discretion of their parents.

To find out if your postcode is included in this testing and for more information please visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/covid19variant

Testing is available to anyone who does not have symptoms. Testing will, in combination with measures such as hands-face-space and following national guidance, help to suppress and control the spread of the virus, while enabling a better understanding of the variant.

Positive tests will be sequenced to identify any further spread, enabling a better understanding of the variant and identifying if there are any more cases of this particular strand of the virus in the area. If someone tests positive, they must self-isolate immediately and pass on details of their contacts to NHS Test and Trace.

“As part of our proactive sequencing work, we have identified cases of Covid-19 variants in a number of areas across England,” said Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical officer of NHS test and trace.

A small proportion of these cases have no link to international travel.