Surge testing is being introduced in more areas of England after cases of the coronavirus variant first discovered in South Africa were detected.
The testing be deployed in:
- Middlesbrough within the TS7 postcode
- Areas in Walsall
- Specific areas in the RG26 postcode in Hampshire
People in these areas are strongly encouraged to take a COVID test this week, whether or not they have symptoms, said a Department of Health spokesperson.
People without symptoms should visit their local council website for more information, while those with symptoms should book a NHS test the usual way.
The South Africa variant is believed to be more resistant to vaccines.
Only small pockets of the variant have been found in the UK so far, with surge testing deployed in those areas to root out any more cases.
Middlesbrough Council said a mobile testing centre would be in the TS7 area.
Any positive cases detected will be sequenced for genomic data to help understand the variants and how they spread.