A case of the South African variant of Covid has been reported in Bramley.
If you are a resident of the village or live nearby in Basingstoke or surrounding areas, you may be wondering what this means.
Public Health England is working with Hampshire County Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to start mass testing from today.
Here are all your questions answered by Hampshire County Council.
How many cases of the South African variant have been reported in Bramley?
At this time, just a single case has been reported.
Am I affected?
If you live in the Bramley area, you may have to take part in mass testing. Those living in affected post codes will be contacted by Hampshire County Council starting from today.
The test is free and you will never be asked for financial information.
Postcodes of affected homes
RG26 5AA
RG26 5AB
RG26 5AD
RG26 5AE
RG26 5AF
RG26 5AG
RG26 5AH
RG26 5AJ
RG26 5AN
RG26 5AP
RG26 5AQ
RG26 5AR
RG26 5AS
RG26 5AU
RG26 5AX
RG26 5AY
RG26 5AZ
RG26 5BB
RG26 5BF
RG26 5BH
RG26 5BL
RG26 5BN
RG26 5BP
RG26 5BS
RG26 5BT
RG26 5BU
RG26 5BW
RG26 5BX
RG26 5BY
RG26 5BZ
RG26 5DA
RG26 5DD
RG26 5DR
RG26 5DS
RG26 5DT
RG26 5DU
RG26 5DY
RG26 5DZ
RG26 5EQ
RG26 5FN
RG26 5FW
RG26 5FY
RG26 5FZ
RG26 5GA
RG26 5GB
RG26 5GF
RG26 5GG
RG26 5GH
RG26 5GL
RG26 5GN
RG26 5GP
RG26 5GQ
RG26 5GR
RG26 5GU
RG26 5JD
RG26 5JU
RG26 5NJ
RG26 5NQ
RG26 5NW
RG26 5QF
RG26 5QG
RG26 5QQ
RG26 5QX
RG26 5QY
RG26 5QZ
RG26 5SZ
RG26 5TE
RG26 5TG
RG26 5UE
RG26 5UF
RG26 5UG
RG26 5UH
RG26 5UJ
RG26 5UL
RG26 5UN
RG26 5UP
RG26 5UQ
RG26 5UR
RG26 5US
RG26 5UT
RG26 5UU
RG26 5UW
RG26 5UX
RG26 5UY
RG26 5UZ
RG26 5WF
RG26 5WG
RG26 5WH
RG26 5WJ
RG26 5XB
RG26 5XD
RG26 5XE
RG26 5XF
RG26 5XG
RG26 5XH
RG26 5XJ
RG26 5XL
RG26 5XN
RG26 5XP
RG26 5XQ
What will I be asked to do if I live in the area?
You do not need to travel to a testing site or book a test.
A testing kit will be delivered in an envelope which will contain a testing kit and a box.
The box is for you to construct and place your completed tests in for collection by us.
The test is free, you will not be asked to pay or provide any financial information.
You will be provided with instructions on how to register, carry out and repackage your test.
Everyone over the age of 16 is strongly encouraged to take a test.
The testing team will not be able to complete the testing for you and they will not need to enter your household.
The testing team will leave enough kits for everyone in your household to complete the tests and will return later in the day to collect the completed kits. Your sample will be taken to a laboratory so that we can test for the variant.
If a member of your household has been unable to complete the test when the testing team visits to collect it, please inform the team.
Please don't call your GP as they will not have access to these results.
If you test positive you will be communicated with through the usual NHS Test and Trace routes. You will need to self-isolate for 10 days in the same way you would with any COVID positive result. There is no need to do anything different when testing positive for this variant as you would with a COVID-19 positive result.
Do I need to self-isolate if I live in the area?
No.
Only those with COVID symptoms need to self-isolate or they have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
If residents being asked to take a test have a vaccination appointment they can still attend, unless they have any COVID-19 symptoms, in which case they should follow national public health guidelines.
If I have recently had a PCR/LFD test, do I need another?
If you have tested positive within the last 90 days you should not participate.
If you have had a test recently and the result has been negative, you are asked to test again because this sample is specifically being genome sequenced for the variant. Genome sequencing is a scientific/ laboratory process which will help public health agencies understand the way the virus behaves and is evolving.
How will I receive my results?
You will usually get a text or email with your result when it's ready. Most people get their result the next day, but it may take up to 3 days.
Please don't call your GP as they will not have access to these results.
What should I do if I develop symptoms after the test?
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, a new and persistent cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste), however mild, you should self-isolate for at least 10 days from when your symptoms started.
You should also get another test straight away through the NHS Test and Trace Service by calling 119 or visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.
Once you have received your test result, you should follow the guidance on test results.
I am an essential worker, can I go to work whilst awaiting my results?
Yes, you can. However, if you develop symptoms you must self-isolate.
Does the COVID vaccine protect against this variant?
There is currently no evidence to suggest that vaccines will not offer protection against this variant.
Do I need to take any extra precautions?
No. You should continue to adopt the same level of precautions (hands, face, space) that you do now.
Am I going to be at greater risk?
There is no suggestion that you are at any greater risk from the South African variant than from other strains of Covid-19.
Is there anything I need to do differently/ stop doing?
You should continue to follow the national lockdown rules, hands, face, space and travel only when it is essential.
Do I need to be tested or have regular tests if I have been in contact with people who live in this area?
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 you should isolate for 10 days and book a test as soon as possible. If you are a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case you will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and should isolate for 10 days from the date you were last in contact with the positive case.
Do I need to self-isolate if I have been in contact with someone from this area?
You only need to self-isolate if you or they have symptoms, have tested positive or been contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
Does the South African variant have the same transmission rate?
Viruses often evolve and this is not unusual. It is known that this variant is more transmissible. Work is being carrying out as a priority to understand the potential risk this variant may cause in terms of increased transmission.
Is the South African variant more harmful?
There is no suggestion that the South African variant is any more harmful that other Covid-19 variants.
Who can I contact if I have further questions?
More information about the local testing programme in Bramley will be published week beginning 15 February.
You can also call the Hampshire Coronavirus Support and Helpline on 0333 370 4000.
The helpline is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 3pm.
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