Targeted testing is focusing on two Brentwood locations after a case of the new Omicron variant was found in the town.
It was announced yesterday (November 27) that the new variant had been found here in Essex as well as in Nottingham.
Essex County Council has since announced this evening (November 28) contract tracers are focusing on tracing individuals who attended Brentwood High Street's KFC restaurant as well as those who visited a local church.
Read more: Covid news in and around Essex
Visitors to the KFC on Brentwood High Street between 1pm and 5pm on November 19 are being urged to take a PCR test immediately.
Members of the congregation who visited Trinity Church in Pilgrims Hatch on November 21 were issued with the same call by Essex County Council.
They are being urged to attend mobile testing units, for drive-through appointments only.
Essex County Council director of public health Dr Mike Gogarty said: “Thanks to the excellent work of our contact tracers we have been able to identify two settings which are the focus of our attention for testing.
“The aim is to understand what, if any, spread of the new variant within the local community may have occurred and limit the opportunity for any further spread. Robust contact tracing has taken place following identification of the single case.
“While this work takes place, it is important that everyone takes sensible precautions – get a PCR test if you have symptoms, isolate when asked, wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, ventilate rooms, get your vaccine and boosters as soon as you can.
“It is important to break the chain of transmission as quickly as possible, which is the aim of the additional testing. The quickest way of doing this is for individuals who test positive to self-isolate immediately.
“Even if you are feeling well, I would urge everyone to play their part to keep their community safe. If you are contacted, please follow the instructions on testing you are given as soon as possible.”
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Dr Ravi Balakrishnan, Consultant in Health Protection, UK Health Security Agency East said: “It is really important that those that have been identified as needing a PCR test linked to locations listed come forward and visit one of the mobile testing units in Brentwood. Omicron is a new variant and we have more work to do to understand how easily this can be transmitted, antibody response and how well the vaccines work to protect against it.
“If you have any COVID-19 symptoms you must self-isolate and get a PCR test. I urge everyone to take up their offer of a vaccine and booster, wear a mask in crowded places, shops and on public transport and continue to wash hands thoroughly and regularly. I thank the people of Brentwood for their support as the pandemic continues to throw us challenges.”
A spokesperson for the council yesterday confirmed the Essex individual had previous traveled to South Africa and the case was linked to the one found in Nottingham.
The spokesperson said: "We are working with regional and local public health officers who are assessing the situation. All close contacts of these individuals will be followed up and requested to isolate and get tested.
“The individuals who have so far tested positive, as well as all members of their households, are being re-tested and have been told to self-isolate while contact tracing is underway.
“While this work takes place, it is important that everyone takes sensible precautions – get a PCR test if you have symptoms, isolate when asked, wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, ventilate rooms, get your vaccine and boosters as soon as you can.”
A third case of Omicron in the UK was announced by the the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) today - with this individual also having links to South Africa.
It's believed they visited Westminster in London before leaving the county.
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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiWWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmVzc2V4bGl2ZS5uZXdzL25ld3MvZXNzZXgtbmV3cy9lc3NleC1vbWljcm9uLXZhcmlhbnQtdGFyZ2V0ZWQtdGVzdGluZy02Mjc0MTg20gFdaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXNzZXhsaXZlLm5ld3MvbmV3cy9lc3NleC1uZXdzL2Vzc2V4LW9taWNyb24tdmFyaWFudC10YXJnZXRlZC10ZXN0aW5nLTYyNzQxODYuYW1w?oc=5
2021-11-28 19:55:48Z
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