Localised outbreak of Covid Indian variant found in Newcastle and North Tyneside

Our reporter Gregg Easteal questioned Prime Minister Boris Johnson while he was visiting a school in County Durham - to ask what steps the Government was taking around the Indian Variant.

The PM said they 'weren't ruling anything out' but that reopening on May 17th should go ahead as planned.

It's believed two areas of Tyneside have confirmed cases of the Indian variant of Covid-19.

Small localised outbreaks have been reported in Newcastle but the locations have not been confirmed.

A Newcastle City Council spokesperson said: "Infection rates for Newcastle have risen slightly this week as a result of small localised outbreaks which we are working with partner organisations and the settings concerned to bring under control and reduce the risk of wider community outbreaks.

“As with any confirmed case of the virus, contact tracing has taken place with people entering self-isolation as a result. We are also working to ensure Covid-19 safety measures are reinforced and maintained not only as a result of these outbreaks, but across Newcastle."

Newcastle city council went on to say that general circulation of Covid-19 'remains low in the city' thanks in part to residents continuing to follow coronavirus safety restrictions.

Allards Lounge in Tynemouth Credit: Tyne Tees

Meanwhile, customers of a popular Tyneside bar have been asked to take a Covid-19 test after a case of the Indian variant was linked to the premises.

Anyone who visited Allard's Lounge in Tynemouth between April 23 and May 3 has been urged to book a PCR test.

Public Health England and North Tyneside Council said "one of the cases in an outbreak linked to the premises has been identified as having the Indian variant".

North Tyneside director of public health Wendy Burke reassured people that coronavirus levels remained the lowest they have been since September.

She said: "We want to ensure we keep it that way and especially as we move to the next stage of the road map, with restrictions set to ease again on 17 May and allow for indoor mixing.

"This additional testing is really important to help to control the virus, reduce transmission and help North Tyneside return to normal.

"We continue to work very with Public Health England to monitor outbreaks, especially as variant cases begin to circulate across the country."

PCR tests are taken at a test site or at home, with results processed by a lab.

There are two local test sites in North Tyneside:

  • The Parks Sports Centre in North Shields

  • Coronation Street car park in Wallsend

North Tyneside Council has also been working closely with Allard's Lounge managers who are ensuring that the bar is Covid-secure and are looking forward to reopening fully.