Testing to be expanded after another case of South African variant in Walsall
Another case of the South African variant has been detected in Walsall.
The council says it was discovered following routine sequencing of positive COVID-19 tests.
The case is not linked to the previously identified cases in the borough or to international travel.
Further targeted testing is now planned to help suppress and control the spread of COVID-19 in Walsall.
Stephen Gunther, Director of Public Health, said: “The public health team was contacted by national test and trace officials and colleagues from Public Health England to confirm a further resident had tested positive for the South African variant of COVID-19.
“This was picked up as part of routine sequencing that takes place on a percentage of all COVID-19 tests. Enhanced contact tracing has taken place and this case is not linked to travel from South Africa or to the other case found in another area of Walsall in December.
"I would like to thank the individual for following all public health guidance and self-isolating and am pleased to report they have now made a full recovery."
“We all know that the virus will change over time and it’s important that we investigate new strains to understand how they might spread. This has been demonstrated with the additional testing over the past couple of weeks in Walsall and we will be replicating this in other areas of the borough as and when necessary.
“We are mobilising teams for enhanced testing of additional targeted areas next week. More information will be made available and the COVID-19 variant testing postcode checker on the council’s website will be updated when details are finalised."
Councillor Stephen Craddock, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: “Enhanced symptom-free testing of people in targeted areas is about gathering additional information to help us track the South African variant and identify positive cases of COVID-19 more quickly.
“I urge everyone offered a test to take it up to help us to monitor the virus in the borough and to help suppress and control the spread of COVID-19. This testing is to help protect you, your families and our community."