Covid surge testing launched in Bolton after South African variant case found in town

Person had not been travelling recently, suggesting there may be community spread, officials admit

(PA)

Surge testing has been introduced in Bolton after a case of the South African Covid-19 variant was detected in the Greater Manchester town.

Mobile screening has been set up at the Wingates Industrial Estate – home to a variety of businesses – after a worker there was identified as being positive.

They had not recently travelled abroad suggesting that there may be some circulation in the community, officials admitted.

The variant is considered of particular concern because it appears to have a so-called escape mutation which appears to render current vaccines less effective.

Now, everyone who works at the site is being urged to have a coronavirus test, even if they are not showing symptoms. A mobile screening unit has been set up, while the largest businesses have been given home test kits for workers.

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Dr Matthieu Pegorie, of Public Health England, said: “We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and all necessary public health interventions are being undertaken, including enhanced contact tracing and control measures.”

Then news comes on the back of a difficult year for Bolton.

Some 765 people in the town have died with coronavirus – an above average rate of 266 people per 100,000 – while in the summer, it became the first place in the UK to have restrictions reimposed following a surge in cases that gave it the highest infection rate in the country.

According to the latest figures, Bolton now has 107.5 cases per 100,000 people, almost double the national average of 56.2.

Dr Helen Lowey, director of public health with Bolton Council, added: “We want to reassure the public that the risk of any onward spread is low and that actions which are being planned jointly with Public Health England are precautionary. There is no evidence that it causes more severe illness.

“If you cannot work from home it’s important that you get tested at one of our testing centres for those without symptoms. One in three people have the virus but don’t develop symptoms, and can be spreading it to others.