Surge testing for the Brazilian variant of Covid-19 in South Gloucestershire has been extended for a week.

Testing that has taken place this week in five postcode sectors will be extended until Sunday, March 14.

The two existing surge testing facilities in Stoke Gifford and Patchway will remain in place for the remainder of the programme, and the five community-based collect and drop sites will also remain open.

Residents who are not be able to attend a testing facility or arrange to pick up a home test kit for themselves, will have one delivered to them directly and collected after completion.

The surge testing was put in place following the identification in the area of two cases of a Covid-19 Variant of Concern first identified in Manaus, Brazil (P.1).

On the first three days of surge testing 3,806 attended the mobile testing units in Stoke Gifford and Patchway and 8,828 kits were collected from community collect and drop centres. Of these 5,495 kits have been returned so far.

Anyone who has collected a kit is encouraged to complete it, register it, and return it as soon as they can.

Sara Blackmore, director of public health at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “The response from the community to this additional testing has been welcomed, with large numbers of people coming forward.

"We hope by extending the programme to the same two-week period as we ran our first surge programme, and by reaching out directly to those who might not otherwise be able to take part, that everyone who is eligible in the target postcode areas will be encouraged and able to take a test.

“If we do identify any further positive tests early, particularly among those without symptoms, we have an opportunity to stop the spread of the virus.

"Additionally, every positive test result can be processed to examine the precise variant present, which adds to our scientific understanding of the virus and helps us to be even more effective in controlling it now and in the future.”

Mike Wade, deputy regional director for Public Health England South West, said: “Based on the information we’re continuing to gather, and our dynamic risk assessment, we remain of the view that the risk to the community is low, and are continuing to deliver our precautionary control measures and adapt as necessary to keep our communities safe.

“The important thing to remember is that Covid-19, no matter what variant it is, spreads in the same way. That means the measures to stop it spreading do not change. Stay at home and if you do need to go out for essential reasons, cover your nose and mouth, wash your hands thoroughly and keep your distance.”

“In addition, please do take up the offer of the vaccine if you’ve been invited. Vaccine protects against the most severe cases and Covid 19 related deaths.”

For more information about surge testing click here.