A positive case of the South African variant of Covid-19 has been detected in the Bramley area, north of Basingstoke.

All residents in the specific area will be contacted soon for testing, Hampshire County Council has confirmed.

The local testing initiative will involve all residents over the age of 16 in the identified area being asked to undertake a Covid-19 test.

The council said the details of how this would work will be published on the County Council’s website early next week. Residents will be able to use a postcode checker to identify whether or not they will be provided with a test.

This is the first case of South African variant being detected in the entire Hampshire region.

Simon Bryant, Director of Public Health at Hampshire County Council said: “I appreciate that this news may be worrying for the local community, but it’s really important to understand that the risk of transmission from this single case is considered to be very low, helped by the fact that national restrictions are in place with most people staying at home and adhering to the Government guidance of ‘hands-face-space.’

“Furthermore, there is no evidence that this particular variant causes more severe illness, or that the regulated vaccines do not protect against it.

 “Following confirmation of the case and in line with government guidelines, the County Council has begun work with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Public Health England, our local NHS, as well as the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), to arrange a localised ‘surge testing’ programme in the area. This is due to begin next week.

“The rapid local testing programme is primarily a precautionary measure designed to help the government to better understand and prevent the spread of new variants across the country.”

 The council added: “Whether people are contacted in relation to the local testing initiative or not, the advice for all residents in Hampshire, remains the same – stay at home, essential travel only, hands-face-space.”