Covid 19 Testing – South African variant in Bramley

The Director of Public Health at Hampshire County Council has made us aware of a confirmed single case of the COVID-19 South African variant in Bramley. There is no link to any other cases or to travel.

Following government guidance, the county council, working with Public Health England, our local NHS and the Department of Health and Social Care, is now arranging a localised ‘surge testing’ programme in the area.

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 they will be provided with a test.

All residents in the area will be asked to take a COVID-19 test to help the Department of Health and Social Care to better understand and prevent the spread of new variants.

We have been reassured 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’.

There is no evidence that this particular variant causes more severe illness, or that the regulated vaccines do not protect against it.

For more information, please visit www.hants.gov.uk/localtesting

Below is the current postcode list from the County Council website. 

Am I affected?

Those living in the following postcode areas will be contacted by a representative of the County Council who will have formal identification regarding this additional test during week beginning 15 February. 

The test is free and you will never be asked for financial information.