South African Variant COVID19 in Southport area

THIS is an official notice issued by the UK's Department of Health and Social Care for anyone who lives, works or has visited the Southport Area (PR9) and surrounding areas.  "Anyone who lives, works or has visited the the Southport Area (PR9) and surrounding areas:- Please get tested. It is even more important now for you to follow the National Covid19 restrictions."

Sadly, Public Health England has identified 105 cases of the COVID19 variant 1st identified in South Africa, and cases include Southport. As a result, additional surge testing and sequencing is being deployed in a number of locations where the COVID19 variant first identified in South Africa has been found in Southport. Testing will, in combination with following the lockdown rules and remembering:- 'Hands. Face. Space' help to monitor and suppress the spread of the virus, while enabling a better understanding of the new variant.

Extensive surveillance of the virus has identified a small number of cases of the COVID19 variant 1st identified in South Africa in localities across England, including Southport, which cannot be traced back to international travel. All cases are now self isolating and robust contact tracing has taken place to trace their contacts and ask them to self isolate.

Every person over 16 living in these locations is strongly encouraged to take a COVID test this week, whether they are showing symptoms or not. Mobile testing units (MTUs) will be deployed offering PCR testing to people without symptoms who have to leave their home for work or essential reasons, with local authorities encouraging people to get tested in the area by providing additional home test kits.

People with symptoms should book a test in the usual way and people without symptoms should visit their Local Authority website for more information. In our case:- Sefton.Gov.UK - This additional testing will begin in these areas from Monday.

The local areas affected are currently:-

►  East of England (EN10)

►  London (W7, N17, CR4)

►  North West (PR9)

►  South East (ME15, GU21)

►  West Midlands (WS2)

Positive tests will be sequenced to identify any further spread of the COVID19 variant 1st identified in South Africa, 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.

In total, Public Health England has identified 105 cases of the COVID19 variant 1st identified in South Africa since 22 December 2021. All cases and their contacts have been contacted and told to self isolate. There is currently no evidence to suggest this variant is more serious than others, or that the regulated vaccine would not protect against it.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:- “It is vital that we do all we can to stop transmission of this variant and I strongly urge everyone in these areas to get tested, whether you have symptoms or not. The best way to stop the spread of the virus; including new variants, is to stay at home and follow the restrictions in place. Until more people are vaccinated this is the only way we will control the spread of the virus. The UK is a global leader in COVID19 genomics, and because of this, we have been able to identify new strains of the virus and take decisive action. We continue to closely monitor new variants, here and around the world, and in addition to our already extensive testing service, we are making surge testing capacity available to affected areas.”

Dr Susan Hopkins, Strategic Response Director to Public Health England and Chief Medical Adviser for NHS Test and Trace, said:- “As part of our proactive sequencing work, we know that the new variant of COVID19, first detected in South Africa, has been identified in a number of areas across England. A small proportion of these cases have no link to international travel suggesting that there are some cases in the community. In response to this, we are ramping up testing in targeted areas, so we can gather more information and effectively monitor any further community transmission.”

Action is being taken to reduce the risk from the new variants of the virus by introducing further measures at the border. Travel bans were already in place for countries where there is a risk of known variants. Further measures will include managed isolation in hotels for those who cannot be refused entry arriving from countries with international travel bans. Those wishing to travel out of the UK will have to declare their reason for travel in a pre-departure form. People should expect this to be checked and anyone who does not have a valid reason will be directed to return home and may face a fine.

All measures are kept under constant review.

Please remember that anyone with symptoms should book a test in the usual way. People without symptoms should visit their local authority website for more information.

People should continue to follow the lockdown rules and remember:- 'Hands. Face. Space.'

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care, said:- "We know that mutations form a part of the virus cycle and we are well prepared to sequence new variants and assess what action may need to be taken. If a person tests positive, has any symptoms, or are contact traced following contact with someone who tests positive, they should self isolate immediately."

Responding to news that testing for the new South African variant of Covid19 will be starting in the Borough, Sefton Council Leader Cllr Ian Maher said:- "I am pleased to see the Government acting promptly to implement this programme to test for the presence and possible spread of this new variant with the aim of bringing it under control quickly. I am also confident that our local communities will, as they have throughout the pandemic, follow the guidance on testing, self isolation and the wider lockdown measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus and help protect those who are vulnerable to it."

Sefton's Director of Public Health, Margaret Jones said:- "Although it seems this new variant can still be combated through vaccination, it could be more transmissible, which means it could spread more quickly. That's why it is important we carry out this additional testing to try and identify it and to limit the number of us who might be exposed to it. We will be setting up dedicated test sites for the new variant and once they are in place, I would encourage everyone aged over 16 in the areas targeted to get tested as soon as possible, even though they don't have symptoms. This will help us find any cases of the new variant and help stamp it out. There is no reason for most of us to change our behaviour as a result of this news as long as we are already following the national regulations. This means staying at home except for essential purposes such as shopping for essential supplies, going to work if we can't do so from home and providing care. It also means maintaining at least 2-metres' distancing, wearing a mask or face covering while out and about and washing our hand frequently."

Sefton Council and its partners are still working out exactly how the additional tests are going to take place in the light of today's announcement but comprehensive testing has been in place across the Borough since April. This has been through a combination of pop up mobile test units at various sites and permanent walk through testing sites for people with coronavirus symptoms, and three SMART test centres for people with no symptoms.

Mrs Jones added:- "People across Sefton have taken full advantage of the range of testing available and I am confident those within the area covered by the new variant tests will respond positively to the Minister's request to get tested this week' (or whatever it is for us). However, for anyone concerned we will be working with our partners to provide advice and support online and on the ground so that we can work together and continue to make progress towards a return to a more normal life for all of us."

As well as mobile test units, the four local walk through test centres for people with symptoms are at Bootle Town Hall, Crosby Library Car Park, Netherton Activity Centre and Southport Town Hall. SMART test centres for people with no symptoms who have to go out for work or caring purposes are at Aintree Racecourse, Bootle Leisure Centre and Splash World in Southport.

Details can be found at:- Sefton.Gov.UK/Testing.

Dr Andrew Furber, Regional Director at Public Health England North West, said:- "The UK has 1 of the best genomic systems in the world which has allowed us to detect the variant originating in South Africa here in Sefton. I urge everyone offered a test to take it up to help us to monitor the virus in our communities and to help suppress and control the spread of this variant. The most important thing is that people continue to follow the guidance that is in place; limit your number of contacts, wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, keep your distance and cover your face. If you test positive by any method, you must isolate to stop the spread of the virus."