Working in partnership with the local authority, additional testing and genomic sequencing is being deployed to targeted areas in Leeds LS8, including parts of Harehills and the area just north of Easterly Road where the COVID-19 variant first identified in South Africa has been found.
Extra testing is being introduced in addition to existing extensive testing. In combination with following the current lockdown rules and remembering ‘Hands. Face. Space’ advice, it will help to monitor and suppress the spread of the virus.
Positive cases will be sequenced for genomic data to help understand COVID-19 variants and their spread within these areas.
People living within this targeted area are strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 test when offered, whether they are showing symptoms or not.
People with symptoms should book a test in the usual way, and those without symptoms should visit their local authority website for more information.