Surge testing complete in Southampton

So-called surge testing is now finished in a part of Southampton with health bosses thanking the public for their "fantastic response".

Home checks in the SO15 5 postcode area have been carried out since Thursday (18 February 2021).

It was after a single case of the South African variant of coronavirus was confirmed.

In a statement, Southampton City Council said: "The targeted COVID-19 testing programme in SO15 5 has now finished and the mobile testing unit at Atherley Bowling Club has closed.

"Any positive COVID-19 tests identified will be sent for genomic sequencing which will help Public Health England understand the spread of COVID-19 variants locally. If anyone has tested positive for COVID-19 they will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

"An update on the number of tests submitted will be provided once we have received confirmation from the Department of Health and Social Care."

Dr Debbie Chase, Director of Public Health at Southampton City Council, said: “We have had a fantastic response to this testing programme, and I’d like to thank everyone who has taken part. By taking the time to get a test you have helped Public Heath England understand more about transmission of the COVID-19 variant first found in South Africa. This information will play an important part in how we tackle variant strains of the virus in the future.”

Councillor Christopher Hammond, Leader of Southampton City Council, added: “Once again it is clear that the people of Southampton have come together and answered the call to help in the fight against COVID-19. I’d like to thank everyone who has taken a home test or has braved the weather and visited the mobile testing unit to help the national effort in understanding more about the spread of variant strains of COVID-19 in our communities.”

If you have coronavirus symptoms, you should book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus, via the NHS COVID-19 app or call 119.