Surge testing in North Kensington
The South African variant has been detected
Surge testing is to be deployed in North Kensington in London after a small number of cases of the South African coronavirus variant were detected.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said NHS Test and Trace is working with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council to provide additional testing and genomic sequencing in targeted areas within the W11 postcode.
The department said all confirmed cases self-isolated as required and their contacts have been identified, adding there are no links between these cases and the cluster of cases of this variant recently identified in the South London area.
Everybody aged 16 years and over who lives or works resides or works in these areas is strongly encouraged to take a Covid-19 test, whether they are showing symptoms or not, the DHSC said.