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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