COVID-19 - South African variant detected in Hampshire

Note from Deborah Harkin (Assistant Chief Executive, Corporate Services, Hampshire County Council)

I am writing to notify you that a single case of the above variant has been confirmed in the county.
 
The confirmed case lives in the Bramley area, north of Basingstoke, and is not linked to travel or previous variant cases.
 
As a consequence, and following Government guidelines, the County Council is working with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Public Health England, our local NHS, as well as the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), to carry out a localised ‘surge testing’ programme in the area. The testing programme will begin next week, and will comprise a door to door household delivery of testing kits.
 
All residents over the age 16 will be strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 test. The results of which will help the DHSC to better understand and prevent the spread of new variants. It is important to note that the risk of transmission from this particular case is considered to be very low, helped by the fact that national restrictions are in place with most people staying at home and adhering to the Government guidance of ‘hands-face-space’.
 
Furthermore, there is no evidence that this particular variant causes more severe illness, nor that the regulated vaccines do not protect against it.
 
More details about the testing programme will be published on the County Council’s website at www.hants.gov.uk/localtesting, and from next week, residents will be able to use a postcode checker to identify whether or not they will be provided with a test.
 
The advice for all residents in Hampshire, remains the same – stay at home, essential travel only, hands-face-space.
 
Kind regards
Deborah
 
 
Deborah Harkin
Assistant Chief Executive
Corporate Services, Hampshire County Council
Room 131, Elizabeth II Court South
The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8UJ
[email protected]
MS Teams: 0370 779 5697