2,500 people tested after South African variant found on Oldbury/Tipton border
More than 2,500 tests have been completed after targeted testing took place around the Oldbury and Tipton border when a case of the South African variant was discovered.
Sandwell Council has thanked residents in the area for their support after the targeted testing in the area ended on Wednesday.
The extra testing had been carried out with people without symptoms in specific streets within the wider DY4 7, DY4 8 and B69 2 postcode areas.
It followed a case of the variant first discovered in South Africa being identified in the area.
People could either complete a home test, or visit PureGym in Dudley Port. More than 2,500 tests have now been completed and sent for special sequencing testing to identify any cases of the variant.
Sandwell’s director of public health, Dr Lisa McNally, said: “We would like to thank everyone who’s taken part in the targeted testing and returned their test to us – either at one of the drop-off points or when our volunteers have called to collect them.
“The response has been an unbelievable effort between staff, local volunteers and residents.
“The community has responded superbly.
“Valuable evidence has come out of the work and there are hopes that some of the data from this exercise will contribute to a really useful study.
“Once again we have shown how well we can work as a regional system.”
Residents who didn’t get to return their home test when volunteers called by or at one of the drop-off points can still post it back using the instructions on the kit.
Although this extra testing programme in Oldbury and Tipton has now been completed, everyone can still access rapid tests for free if they have no symptoms or get an NHS test if they do have symptoms.
