Stafford residents praised for getting tested
Thousands get tested for South African variant
People living in Stafford are being praised for going to get tested for the South African variant of Coronavirus.
More than 13,000 people have been tested over the past three weeks, after confirmation that one case of the Covid-19 South African variant had been found in the borough in early January.
No further cases of the South African variant have been found.
An added benefit has been to identify and isolate more cases of the existing variants of the virus, which has helped to drive case rates in Stafford down to the lowest level in six months
Testing for this South African variant will finish on Friday 12 March.
However, people should still get tested regularly if they have to leave home.
Dr Richard Harling, Director for Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council said: “The response we have had to testing in Stafford has been fantastic, and I want to thank every resident of the borough who has responded to our call to get tested over the last three weeks. Now we want people to keep it up: getting tested regularly is a great way to control the spread of infection.”
Residents are encouraged to continue to book regular tests at their local testing centres, to keep Covid-19 levels low and stop the virus from spreading.
Richard continued: “Regular testing and vaccination, is the way out of this pandemic. It remains very important for people who need to be out and about to get tested regularly so that we can identify those who are infected and stop the virus in its tracks.”
“With testing sites across the whole county, not just in Stafford borough, getting a test in Staffordshire has never been more convenient. Please, book your test today.”
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