Cases of Indian Covid in Essex show "no obvious" link to foreign travel
Enhanced contact tracing and testing is being carried out in the identified community
Last updated 17th May 2021
Cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus in Essex show "no obvious" sign of foreign travel.
The county council has revealed the variant of the virus have been discovered in seven household in Chelmsford.
As there is no obvious sign of travelling abroad linked to the majority of the cases, the authority says it is therefore likely to be present in the community.
Targeted PCR testing at locations where the individuals have visited will take place and residents living in the Chelmsford City Council area are being urged to do a Lateral Flow Test as soon as possible.
Should a resident test positive they must then take a PCR test to confirm, if this test is positive, the results will be used by Public Health England to test for the variant.
Director of Public Health at Essex County Council, Dr Mike Gogarty, said:
"Though the light is at the end of the tunnel with the continued roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine, the emergence of this new variant proves we can’t let down our guard. We need anyone not showing Covid-19 symptoms, particularly those in Chelmsford, to play their part and take a test.
"I would ask that all residents across the county continue to test regularly. Regular self-testing, twice a week, with lateral flow tests can reduce the spread of infection and stop people unknowingly passing on the virus to others."
Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, Councillor John Spence, added:
"It will be no great surprise that this variant has emerged somewhere in Essex. We all want restrictions to be eased, so we want to nip this in the bud – it is not a cause for huge concern, but it is a cause for caution, and this is precautionary."
Leader of Chelmsford City Council, Cllr Stephen Robinson said:
"I understand that the news of a variant of concern emerging in Chelmsford is worrying. I have confidence in the recommendations from our Public Health team to address this issue.
"So if you live in the Chelmsford City Council area, please do pick up or order a Lateral Flow test and take it right away.
"If we all work together, continue to follow all the guidelines (including keeping our distance from others) and test and self-isolate where required, we can stop the spread."