South African variant of coronavirus found in Southport

New urgent testing regimes will begin in Sefton after a case of the South African variant of coronavirus was discovered in the Southport area.

The move comes as two cases were initally found in Surrey leading the government to introduce enhanced testing measures.

A Sefton Council spokesman confirmed to OTS news that one single case has been discovered in Southport.

The two Surrey cases were not linked to travel to South Africa.

It is not known how many cases in total have been identified.

The South Africa strain was first identified in December and appears to spread more easily. carrying mutations that allow it to bind more easily to human cells. There is no data that the strain is more deadly, or that vaccinations are less effective.

In the case of Surrey, the government has ordered mobile testing units to be dispatched to a number of neighbourhoods where cases were identified and home testing kits will also be sent to households. Similar measures are likely to be introduced in Sefton.

Sefton Council said: “Sefton Council and its partners are still working out exactly how the additional tests are going to take place in the light of today’s announcement but comprehensive testing has been in place across the Borough since April.

“This has been through a combination of pop-up mobile test units at various sites and permanent walk-through testing sites for people with coronavirus symptoms, and three SMART test centres for people with no symptoms.”