FIRST CASE OF COVID INDIAN VARIANT DETECTED IN CITY
PUBLIC Health bosses have identified the Indian variant of Covid-19 in Nottingham.
The variant, known as VOC-21APR-02, has been identified in the city by Public Health England.
According to Government documents, the variant was first detected in sequence in India.
Indications suggest it is more transmissible and so there are concerns it could spread more quickly among people.
Nottingham City Council is now working with Public Health England and the NHS to carry out targeted testing over the next two weeks.
David Johns, interim director of Public Health in Nottingham, said: “Not all cases are related to travel and some are thought to have been picked up via community transmission.
“Most cases of the variant of concern are being followed-up individually by NHS Test and Trace teams.
“For most people, it will simply mean being extra vigilant when we stick to the guidance around ‘hands, face, space’ in order to keep each other safe.
“Some but not all of the cases have been found in shared, private accommodation in Nottingham.
“I would like to thank everyone who so far has come forward to take a test.
“We need everybody’s help with this. If you are asked to come forward for test, please work with our teams and get tested at the earliest opportunity.”
Dr Susan Hopkins, Covid-19 strategic response director at Public Health England, added: “If you are told to get a test, if you have any symptoms at all or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, please make sure you get tested too.
“We are monitoring all of these variants extremely closely and have taken the decision to classify this as a Variant of Concern because the indications are that this VOC-21APR-02 is a more transmissible variant.”