TESTING is continuing in a Worcester suburb after it was confirmed the South African strain of Covid-19 has been found.

Residents have been continuing to receive their coronavirus tests at the White Hart in Fernhill Heath after the news, which was announced late on Friday.

The new strain, first reported in South Africa, has been detected in small numbers across the UK, including in the WR3 area of Worcester.

According to health authorities, these cases cannot be traced back to international travel.

Dr Kathryn Cobain, Director for Public Health in Worcestershire said: “The UK has one of the best genomic systems in the world which has allowed us to detect the variant originating in South Africa here in Worcestershire.

"I urge everyone offered a test to take it up to help us to monitor the virus in our communities and to help suppress and control the spread of this variant.

“The most important thing to do is self-isolate if you have symptoms, this stops you spreading the virus and will help us reduce the spread of this variant.

"Please limit your number of contacts, wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, keep your distance and cover your face.

"Please take advantage of the testing being offered.”

All cases are now self-isolating and contact tracing has taken place to trace their contacts and ask them to self-isolate.

Working in partnership with NHS Test and Trace, every person, over the age of 18, living in the WR3 postcode and some WR9 postcodes, is strongly encouraged to take a Covid-19 test this week, even if they are not showing symptoms.

To find out if your postcode is included in this testing and for more information please visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/covid19variant

Testing is available to anyone over 18 years, who lives within walking distance of the White Hart pub and who has no symptoms.

There is no car parking at the site, so only use this testing site if you live within Fernhill Heath or safe walking distance.

If this site is not available to you, please wait for the drive through testing site planned for later in the week or the door to door testing that will become available.

To use the centre please book online at; (worcestershire.gov.uk)

You will need to show a booking confirmation email to attend the test centre for your test.

Anyone who has symptoms should not attend this centre and should book online in the normal way; https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor for NHS Test and Trace said: “As part of our proactive sequencing work, we know that the new variant of Covid-19, first detected in South Africa, has been identified in a number of areas across England.

"A small proportion of these cases have no link to international travel suggesting that there are some cases in the community.

“In response to this, we are ramping up testing in targeted areas, so we can gather more information and effectively monitor any further community transmission.”