Coronavirus in Portsmouth: Kent variant makes up 80% of city's Covid cases - but no South African mutation found

The B117 mutation is more easily spread and was first found in Kent by experts seeking to understand why the area saw infections rise in November’s lockdown.

Portsmouth’s public health director Helen Atkinson, who confirmed the data, said there had been no detection of the South African coronavirus variant.

Door-to-door testing has been rolled out in eight areas where the South African mutation has been detected in a bid to stop it spreading.

Ms Atkinson said: ‘Currently the UK variant is estimated to make up 80 per cent of all new cases in Portsmouth.

‘We are not aware of any cases of the South African variant locally.’

She added: ‘The preventative measures and guidance for the new variants are the same as previously.

‘The most important thing for everyone to do is to continue to follow the national guidance – to stay at home as much as possible, limit contacts, wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, keep your distance and cover your face.

‘If you test positive you must isolate to stop the spread of the virus.’

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Samples are taken to monitor the types of Covid-19 that are found in Portsmouth, with officials working with Public Health England.

Ms Atkinson added: ‘PHE and NHS Test and Trace undertake proactive sequencing work to identify and tackle new variants. This includes testing samples from Portsmouth.

‘In the event of new variants being identified here we would work closely with PHE and NHS Test and Trace to implement the necessary measures, building on all the work we are already doing locally to tackle Covid-19.’

Around 80,000 adults are set to be tested by PHE officials going door to door, the Guardian reported, in smalls areas of Hertfordshire, Surrey, Kent, Walsall, and Sefton, as well as in three London boroughs.

It comes after the South African variant was found in individuals who have no links of travel to the country.

Portsmouth has seen 677 new Covid-19 cases in the week to January 29, giving a rate of 315 new infections per 100,000 population.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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