Eight cases of Coronavirus variant first detected in India found in Nuneaton

Use our postcode checker to see if you live in area where surge testing is taking place.

The council confirmed to Fosse107 that the cases were all related to travel rather than community transmission.

The first case was reported on the 9th May, with Public Health England informing them of more cases that week.

Warwickshire council said they worked quickly to link the cases together and understand the risk of further spread. 

When asked if the council were considering 'surge vaccines', as seen in Bolton, Fosse107 was told there are 'no plans' but any decision is held under constant review.

Increased testing in schools and door to door tests are coming to the Abbey and Wembrook areas this week..

The 'Indian variant' is thought to be at least as transmissible as the 'Kent variant' which is the most dominant in the UK right now. Scientists are still unsure if it causes more severe disease or is more resistant to vaccines.

If you live or work in one of the affected areas, you should get tested, to see if you have one of these new variants. 

Check here to see if you live in one of the affected postcodes:

Those without symptoms should also continue twice weekly rapid tests.

When asked if the council were considering 'surge vaccines', as seen in Bolton, Fosse107 was told there are 'no plans' but any decision is held under constant review.

Dr Shade Agboola, Director of Public Health Warwickshire said: 

“Public Health England has notified us of a small number of cases of the VOC-21APR-02 COVID-19 variant (originally identified in India) in Abbey Ward in central Nuneaton.  These cases have been picked up through the national programme of genetic sequencing and detailed contact tracing is currently underway.

“All close contacts are being traced and tested as a precaution. Warwickshire County Council and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council are working with PHE to further risk assess the situation, and are considering plans for enhanced community testing. It is really important that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates with their household and book themselves a PCR/NHS test through https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.

"As a precautionary measure, whilst we are planning additional community testing, we would like to offer all residents (and anyone currently working) in Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough a PCR/NHS test, even if they don't have symptoms. Please access a test through the website above https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test and click "my local authority has asked me to have a test". 

"We are recommending PCR/NHS tests, as these are the most accurate tests, and they are sent to the laboratory and analysed to look for new variants. Individuals without symptoms should continue to undertake twice weekly lateral flow testing (LFT/rapid tests) in addition to the PCR test. 

"This particular variant is at least as transmissible as B.1.1.7 (the Kent variant) that is the predominant variant in the UK currently. There currently isn't enough evidence to indicate that any of the variants recently detected in India cause more severe disease or render the vaccines currently deployed any less effective. However, the more cases of the variant we find, the better chance we have at suppressing the virus and keeping our communities safe.”