Variant Testing

Guidelines in Sefton

Do I have to follow any additional rules?

If you live in the surge testing area, national restrictions remain the same as they have been since the lockdown began on the 4 January 2021.

It is essential that we all follow the Government advice to stay home and limit social contact with other households (or those outside your bubble) except:

• To shop for basic necessities
• To go to work if you can't work from home
• For exercise, with your household, bubble or just you and one other person
• To seek medical assistance or to avoid risk of harm
• To meet your support bubble or childcare bubble
• To attend education or childcare if you are eligible

If you have symptoms, you must stay home and book a test via the NHS website or 119.

Remember - 'Hands. Face. Space.'

• Hands – wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds
• Face – wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet
• Space – stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings)

What can I do to prevent further spread?

The best way to stop the spread of the virus is to wash your hands, wear a face covering and keep your distance from others. Whilst in lockdown, it is important that we also stay at home unless it is absolutely essential to go out

What should I do if I develop symptoms after the test?

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, a new and persistent cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste), however mild, you should self-isolate for at least 10 days from when your symptoms started.

You should also get a test straight away through the NHS Test and Trace Service by calling 119 or visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

I am an essential worker, can I go to work whilst awaiting my results?

Yes. If you develop symptoms you must self-isolate.

What if I have recently travelled back to the UK from South Africa?

Since 23 December 2020 anyone who has been in or transited through South Africa has been required to self-isolate for 10 days since the day after the date on which they left South Africa.

Members of their household are also required to self-isolate during that time too. You should continue to follow the current GOV.UK national lockdown guidelines.

You will only be required to take a test if a) you are in a localised surge testing area or b) If you experience the symptoms of a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste.

South Africa travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) advises against all but essential travel to South Africa.

Working in the Community

Do I need to take any extra precautions?

No. Continue to adopt the same level of precautions (hands, face, space) that you do now. We will keep the situation under review and will keep you informed of any changes.

Do current PPE protocols remain the same?

Yes, there are no changes at this time to PPE protocols and staff should continue to use the same level of PPE as they would usually use, as set out in national guidance.

Do I need to wear PPE / extra PPE/ different PPE?

If you usually wear PPE for your work you should continue to wear the same levels of PPE as you do now. We will keep the situation under review and will keep you informed of any changes.

Am I going to be at greater risk?

There is no suggestion that you are at any greater risk from the South African variant to other strains of Covid-19.

Is there anything I need to do differently or stop doing?

You should continue to follow the national lockdown rules, hands, face, space and travel only when it is essential.

Should I stop visiting patients/clients in that area?

Community: Continue to undertake home visits as you do now and adopt the same precautions and wear the same level of PPE. We will keep the situation under review and will keep you informed of any changes.

Hospital/GPs: Local protocols are being developed for residents from this area who attend emergency departments, trauma units and GPs surgeries and these will be shared with you.

What happens if a patient I am visiting/had contact with tests positive to the South African variant?

Regardless of variant, if you are a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case you should be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and should isolate for 10 days from the date you were last in contact with the positive case.

Do I need to be tested/have regular tests if I have been in contact with people who live in this area?

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 you should isolate for 10 days and book a test as soon as possible. If you are a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case you should be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and should isolate for 10 days from the date you were last in contact with the positive case.

Do we need to make any changes to the management plan for treating those patients confirmed to have this variant?

There is currently no need to make changes to the management plan for those treating patients with this variant.

Do I need to self-isolate if I have been in contact with someone from this area?

You only need to self-isolate if you or they have symptoms, have tested positive or been contacted by Test and Trace.

South African Variant Info

Does the South African variant have the same transmission rate?

Viruses often evolve and this is not unusual. We know that this variant is more transmissible. We are carrying out work as a priority to understand the potential risk this variant may cause.

Is it more harmful?

There is no suggestion that the South African variant is any more harmful than other Covid-19 variants.

Does the COVID vaccine protect against this variant?

There is currently no evidence to suggest that vaccines will not offer protection against this variant.

When should I receive my results?

Most people will get their results the next day, but it may take up to three days.

Why haven't I had my results?

If you haven't received your results by day six, please call the NHS 119 which is open between 7am to 11pm.

Who can I call to find out my result?

Please call NHS 119. The NHS will be able to provide your test result as long as it was registered, or if you took note of your barcode number.

What happens if I test positive for the South African variant?
This data will be analysed by Public Health England and nationally we are awaiting further guidance on the next steps. The same guidance for self-isolation applies to all cases that have tested positive whether for COVID-19 or for the South African variant.

Please don't call your GP as they will not have access to your results.

Do I need to self isolate while waiting for my test results from the surge testing?

No, you do not need to self isolate while waiting for results. However if your result is positive you must self isolate and follow the guidance of the NHS Test and Trace advisor(s).

More information on self isolating can be found on the government website. If you need support to self isolate, Sefton Council and our partners can help.

More information on our website or call 0345 140 0845

Dukes, Cambridge and Norwood Ward

The testing in Dukes, Cambridge and Norwood Ward has now ended. Below outlines the areas we tested.

Was the testing successful?

Initial numbers from the operation show that around 89% of the tests delivered have been completed and collected.

I have completed a test it but not returned it, what do I do?

If your test kit has been missed for collection please phone Sefton Council on 0345 140 0845, leaving your name and address, and the Council will arrange for the test kits to be collected.

If after 72 hours we have been unable to collect your test kit, please double bag it and place it in your rubbish bin.

I have an un-used test kit that has not been returned, what should I do?

Any un-used testing kits that your household may still have should be put into your general rubbish bin.

Dukes and Cambridge Ward

**Update 22nd September

Testing in Cambridge and Dukes wards is now complete 

What areas need to be tested? 

People who live and/or work in Dukes ward and Cambridge ward should get a test. 

How can I get tested?

For testing to detect the new variant, Mobile Testing Units will be deployed in local areas for those people who are leaving their house for work or essential shopping.

You can get tested at the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre between 8am-6:30pm

It is important that residents in new variant testing areas remain at home and follow lockdown rules, therefore home testing kits will also be provided if you live in the areas specified. 

How do I do a home test? 

You can find a video tutorial here 

We are in a nearby postcode, can we get tested?
We are focusing testing on those areas where we know we have confirmed cases of the variant. But anyone in the local area who is concerned of course can get a test.

How often will people get tested?
We are asking people to take one test in a two-week period. 

Who can get tested?
We will aim to test as many people within these areas as possible over the age of 18

Do I need to self isolate while waiting for my test results from the surge testing?

No, you do not need to self isolate while waiting for results. However if your result is positive you must self isolate and follow the guidance of the NHS Test and Trace advisor(s).

More information on self isolating can be found on the government website. If you need support to self isolate, Sefton Council and our partners can help.

More information on our website or call 0345 140 0845

Are you testing care homes?
All PCR tests in these postcodes will be sent to be sequenced.

Are you excluding people who have tested positive for PCR in the last 90 days?

If you have tested positive for PCR within the last 90 days, you will not need to be tested unless you are already part of an existing pilot e.g. workplace.

If you tested positive using a lateral flow test (or rapid test), you are not excluded and should be tested.