JUST 1% HAD VIRUS
VAST MAJORITY OF 40,000 PEOPLE TESTED WITHOUT SYMPTOMS ACROSS BRISTOL WERE NEGATIVE
SURGE testing for Covid-19 has revealed that very few people in Bristol are carrying the virus without knowing it.
More than 40,000 people without symptoms were tested in the programme, which was carried out across 24 postcode areas of Bristol and South Gloucestershire over two weeks.
Less than one per cent of those who took part returned a positive result for the virus, the local authorities for both areas have announced.
The community surge testing programme, which ended on Sunday, was introduced after 11 cases of a coronavirus variant ‘of concern’ were identified in Bristol.
The so-called Bristol variant is a version of the more infectious Kent variant with an additional mutation E484K feared to make the virus less preventable by vaccination.
Speaking during one of his regular Facebook Live Q&A sessions, Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said public health officials were still awaiting the results of genomic sequencing to determine how many of the positive cases identified through surge testing were carrying the mutation of concern.
“The background positives were around less than one per cent, which is really good news because what it tells us is there aren’t a large number of people without symptoms just lingering in the background that we don’t know about,” he said.
“We are waiting for the analysis back on those test results to see just how common the mutation of concern was among those positive tests.”
Mr Rees said the variants had sprung up as a natural consequence of the ongoing spread of Covid-19.
“So stamping on this virus early... is a really strong lesson for us,” he said.
“The less virus is out there in people, the less opportunity it has to mutate, the less opportunity it has to mutate into a form that may be more able to spread or is resistant in some form to the vaccines.”
Case numbers may be falling and vaccination numbers rising, but people should continue to stick to the rules of “Hands, Face, Space” and not become “prematurely overconfident”, he said.
Mr Rees said the rate of new cases in Bristol was still “high”, at 131 new cases per 100,000 people as of Monday, February 22.
As of February 14, more than 230,000 vaccines have been administered over Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, the area covered by the local NHS clinical commissioning group.
Director for Public Health in Bristol Christina Gray said: “Completing over 40,000 tests in just a short two-week window is an incredible display of hard work and community spirit.
“I want to thank everyone who went out and got a test and who were patient with our staff while they put safe and effective measures in place as quickly as they could.
“To all the staff at Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council, I also want to extend thanks for going above and beyond over the last two weeks.
“The information will help add to the science which is responsible for helping us stay ahead of the virus and to save lives.
“Out of the tests completed, just under one per cent have come back positive for coronavirus.
“Anyone who has tested positive has been asked to self-isolate and offered support from Test and Trace services.”
Sara Blackmore, director of Public Health for South Gloucestershire said: “I want to send a huge thank you to all of our residents and staff who helped us in completing over 40,000 community surge tests in just two weeks.
“From Covid marshals to those helping to get tests to the right people, so many people have played their part in protecting our communities.”
Mike Wade, acting deputy regional director for Public Health England (PHE) South West, said: “Surge testing has taken place in Bristol and South Gloucestershire and all positive cases found will be sent for genomic sequencing.
“Our health protection team within PHE South West is working closely with local authorities to review the results and provide ongoing guidance and support. If a new case is identified we’ll be in touch as part of our enhanced contact tracing work.
“For now, our advice remains the same: the best way to stop the spread of the virus is to observe social distancing, abide by the restrictions in place and that anybody who has been offered the vaccine takes it up.
“Whilst in lockdown, it is important that we stay at home unless it is absolutely essential to go out.”
❝ Completing over 40,000 tests in just a short two-week window is an incredible display of hard work and community spirit
Director for Public Health in Bristol Christina Gray