Surge testing for Indian variant deployed in North East Hampshire
Christine Alsford brings the latest on tomorrow's surge testing from Fleet
NHS Test and Trace is launching new additional testing and genomic sequencing targeted in a number of postcodes across the Hart District, Rushmoor Borough and the Surrey border.
This surge testing is being deployed following the identification of a small number of confirmed cases of the variant first identified in India. All the confirmed cases have been told to self-isolate and their contacts have been identified.
Everyone aged 12 and over who lives or works in these postcodes is strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 PCR test from Wednesday 26 May, whether they are showing symptoms or not.
Fred quizzes Simon Bryant, Director of Public Health at Hampshire County Council
The following testing units will be open from 8am – 8pm from 26 May:
Hart District Council car park, Fleet – GU51 4AE
Napier Gardens, Farnborough - GU11 2JH
High Street multi-story car park, Wellington Avenue, Aldershot – GU11 1SD
The Camberley site below is open from 8am - 6pm every day:
Blackwater and Hawley Leisure Centre, Camberley – GU17 9BW
Anyone living or working in the following postcodes can book a test:
GU11
GU12
GU51
GU52
Further targeted testing is also being deployed at a school in the area, which starts today. The local authority is reaching out to anyone who should be tested.
People in this area should continue to make use of free twice-weekly rapid tests, commonly known as lateral flow devices, alongside the PCR test as part of surge testing.