Information update Covid-19 variant

As you may have seen in the press, Walsall have a small number of cases of the COVID-19 variant first discovered in South Africa have been identified in localities across England, including an area in Walsall.  This variant cannot be traced back to international travel, which suggests it may be the result of transmission within the community. 
 
Walsall Council is working closely with Public Health England and the national NHS Track and Trace team to curb any potential spread of this variant and we will be undertaking more testing in certain areas within the Borough. Our priority remains very much to keep our communities, and including our most vulnerable residents and staff, safe.  The advice we have received nationally tells us that 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.

The more cases of the variant we find, the better chance we have at suppressing it, so residents over the age of 18 living, or working in some parts of the WS2 postcode, specifically Birchills Leamore, Blakenall or Bloxwich East areas, will be strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 test this week, even if they are not showing symptoms. Testing Units will be deployed offering testing and Walsall Council will also be encouraging people in the area to get tested by providing home test kits. 
 
So what does this mean for you?
 

• If you live in the WS2 7 area you will be contacted directly about your household being tested and full details will be included on how to access the tests.
• Pouk Hill Leamore
• Leamore south
• Leamore west
• Beechdale west
• Beechdale east
• Leamore east
• Ryecroft north
• Leamore north

  
Symptom Free testing

• If you are making an essential trip out, such as to work or to the shops (in this area)  then you can go to one of the mobile testing units
• 
  
  • These will be open from today between 10am – 3pm  
  • Walsall College Wisemoor Campus - Littleton Street West, Walsall, WS2 8ES
    • This is a drive-through site (mobile testing unit)
    • On arrival you should remain in your car and follow the directions of health officers on site.
  • Walsall Arena and Arts Centre (Forest Arts) - Hawbush Road, Leamore, Walsall WS3 1AG
    • This is a drive-through site (mobile testing unit).
    • On arrival you should remain in your car and follow the directions of health officers on site.
  • Coming soon - There will be options to walk into both testing sites for those who live local
  • These are the only two test sites to be used if you have visited the WS2 7 areas since 15th December 2020 and you are symptom free.

 
Symptom Testing

• If you have any current symptoms then please stay at home and  book a test by the NHS COVID-19 app or nhs.uk/coronavirus  or call 119