Health chiefs awaiting results of Covid-19 testing for South African variant
Health chiefs in the Black Country are awaiting the latest testing results and findings over the South African variant of Covid-19.
The strain was discovered in Walsall's WS2 area and led to urgent testing being launched for the 10,300 residents in the area.
Now leaders in the area are awaiting results over the tests – due back later this week – to decide what action needs to be taken.
It comes as volunteers hit the streets in the WS2 area to roll-out home testing kits to ensure everyone could be tested for the virus.
Councillor Stephen Craddock, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, paid tribute to the number of people involved in the effort.
He said: "The team have been working extremely hard – they've been out in the freezing cold and I really feel for them."
Councillor Craddock said shoe-leather epidemiology – work out in the field – was a "nice turn of phrase" for their efforts.
Two mobile testing sites – alongside the home testing kits – were rolled out in the WS2 area last week as part of Operation Eagle.
And people who live or work in the area – including Birchills, Pleck, Bescot and Walsall Manor Hospital – were encouraged to get tested.
