Discussions ongoing on how to tackle new Bristol COVID variant

Plans are being drawn up to bring more testing to the city

Officials say we must be extra careful as a new variant is found in Bristol
Author: James DiamondPublished 3rd Feb 2021

Health officials are planning for extra coronavirus testing in Bristol after it was confirmed a new varient has been found in the city.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed the news yesterday (02/02) saying 11 cases of concern have been discovered.

It is thought to be a new mutation of the original Kent variant and could be both more transmissible and reduce the impact of vaccines.

In a statement Bristol City Council say they are still trying to establish the best way to contain it.

"Working with partners in Public Health England and the Department for Health and Social Care, local public health teams will begin to plan for extra testing in the area," the statement reads.

"Details of how additional testing will be delivered remain under discussion and will be shared once approved."

Bristol's Public Health Director Christina Gray says the news will raise concerns.

“These new cases have been identified following the proactive sequencing work carried out by colleagues in Public Health England," she says.

"Their early detection of this mutated form of the virus that first appeared in Kent means we can respond swiftly to ramp up testing in the area to better understand the local situation.

"We’re already working with colleagues in health agencies to identify the additional testing we need and how best to deliver this effectively. "

She adds it is now especially important that we all follow the lockdown rules.

"We must continue to do the most we can to prevent the transmission of this virus by washing our hands, wearing our masks, avoid mixing socially with people outside of our household and self-isolating when needed," she says.

"These are the behaviours that will protects us and each other from this virus. "

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.