Another city hit by mutant Covid strain sparking surge testing
Leeds is the latest city to report cases of the South African Covid strain (Picture: Reuters/Toby Melville)
Emergency surge testing is being rolled out in Leeds after cases of the South African Covid variant were found. People without symptoms will be tested in the LS8 postcode area, including parts of Harehills and the area north of Easterly Road. It comes after surge testing was deployed in Surrey, Norfolk, Southampton and Manchester over the past week. The Government is desperate to stamp out the South African strain which is thought to be highly infectious.
An elderly woman pushes a man in a wheelchair in Leeds (Picture: PA)
‘Positive cases will be sequenced for genomic data to help understand Covid-19 variants and their spread within these areas. ‘People living within this targeted area are strongly encouraged to take a Covid-19 test when offered, whether they are showing symptoms or not. ‘People with symptoms should book a test in the usual way and those without symptoms should visit their local authority website for more information.’
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