South African Covid variant: Walsall test units open

People arrive at a mobile unit in Walsall borough

Two mobile Covid-19 testing units have been set up in Walsall after the South African variant of the virus was detected in the borough.

Walsall Council is also to start delivering testing kits to households towards the end of the week.

The authority has advised those aged 18 or above living or working in the WS2 area to take a test once offered, even if they are not showing symptoms.

A "steady trickle" of people was reported at one of the units earlier.

They are based at Walsall Arena and Arts Centre, on the border of the WS2 postcode area, and Walsall College.

Walsall is one of eight areas across England where the South African variant has been detected, leading to the roll-out of enhanced - or surge - testing via mobile sites to trace any further transmission.

The national surge programme aims to reach 80,000 people in a bid to crack down on the more infectious version of the virus.

While the government has issued guidance to say those aged above 16 in the targeted areas should be tested, Walsall has set a minimum age limit of 18 on its surge provision.

The borough's public health director Stephen Gunther said it was because they were working locally on the basis that those under 18 were likely to be in households with adults. And should the adults test positive, he said, younger occupants would be identified via that process.

Earlier, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said anyone in the area who had not been contacted about a test, and was unsure whether they should have one, should find out via the council's website.

Walsall College hosts one of two mobile testing units tracing transmission of the South African variant

Mr Gunther said the borough's single identified case so far was detected in December during routine testing.

He added he suspected there would "be potentially more cases across the borough".

The case is not being linked to international travel, raising concerns the variant may be spreading in communities in England.

Gene sequencing has so far uncovered 105 cases nationally, with 11 having no link to foreign travel.

"There is currently no evidence that this variant causes more severe illness, or that the regulated vaccines would not protect against it, but research indicates that it does transmit from person to person more easily," Mr Gunther said.

Mike Bird, the leader of Walsall Council, said the virus could be spread by people from Walsall leaving the area to work

Mike Bird, the leader of Walsall Council, urged people to stay at home to limit the spread of the virus, but said: "If you have to go to work, then make sure, first of all, in this case, you get a test so you know you're safe."

• People in variant areas urged to 'think twice'

• What is the variant risk?

• How does surge testing work?

• Latest news from the West Midlands

BBC reporter Ben Godfrey was at the Walsall Arena and Arts Centre testing site on Tuesday morning and said: "It seemed a slow start, there were no queues but a steady trickle of people arriving."

As well as the two mobile units, Walsall borough has testing centres at Darlaston Community Recreation Centre, Wakes Ground Car and Lorry Park, Walsall Town Hall, and Wolverhampton University's Walsall Campus.

• LOOK-UP: How many coronavirus cases are there in your area?

• SYMPTOMS: What are they and how to guard against them?

• YOUR QUESTIONS: We answer your queries