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Targeted testing introduced in Brentwood following confirmed Omicron Covid-19 case

Two locations in Brentwood will be the focus of targeted testing activity following the identification of a case of the Omicron Covid-19 Variant of Concern in the town.

 A branch of KFC in Brentwood High Street and Trinity Church in Pilgrim’s Hatch will be the focus of targeted testing activity following a recent confirmed Covid-19 case involving the Omicron Variant of Concern (B 1.1.529). 


 Testing will be overseen by regional UK Health Security Agency colleagues and Essex County Council’s Public Health Team, and additional PCR testing capacity will be available in Brentwood from tomorrow (Monday 29 November).  
 
The case in Brentwood is linked to a case in Nottingham involving international travel to Southern Africa. 

Both individuals who have tested positive for the new variant, as well as all members of their households, are being re-tested and have been told to self-isolate while contact tracing is underway. All close contacts of these individuals are being contacted and requested to isolate and get tested. 

Members of the congregation who attended Trinity Church on Sunday 21 November, as well as staff, customers and delivery workers who visited the KFC on Brentwood High Street on Friday 19 November, between 1pm and 5pm, must take a PCR test immediately.  
 
However, if an individual has tested positive in the past 90 days, they do not need to take another PCR test in this instance, unless they develop new Covid-19 symptoms. 
 
Anyone who has visited either of these venues and does have Covid-19 symptoms, should isolate immediately and book a PCR test via gov.uk. They must isolate until they receive a negative result.

For anyone who was at either of these venues and does not have symptoms- they should still get a PCR test but are not required to self- isolate. They should however self-isolate if their PCR test returns a positive result.

 A Mobile Testing Unit (MTU) is being deployed to the KFC branch today (Sunday 28 November) to drop off test kits to staff. These tests must be registered online and any positive tests will be sent for genome sequencing to identify any potential further cases involving Omicron. 

Individuals who attended the Church or KFC should attend the MTUs below but must do so only for drive-through appointments.  

  • Basildon Cherrydown Car Park Mobile Testing Unit (open 9AM – 4PM) – please book via the national system at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test 
  • The Brentwood Centre Mobile Testing Unit (open 9AM – 4PM) – no booking required

When booking a PCR test, individuals must tick that they have been directed to take a test by their Local Authority. 

Any young people under 18 years old who attended these venues, must be accompanied by a guardian when attending an MTU. 

If an individual tests positive, has any symptoms, or is contact traced following contact with someone who tests positive, they should self-isolate immediately.  
 
Anyone who tests negative, must continue to follow current Covid-19 guidance.

Support is available for anyone who is required to self-isolate at: www.essex.gov.uk/support-for-residents/if-you-are-self-isolating

Dr Mike Gogarty, Essex County Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “Thanks to the excellent work of our contact tracers we have been able to identify three settings which are the focus of our attention for testing. 

“The aim is to understand what, if any, spread of the new variant within the local community may have occurred and limit the opportunity for any further spread. Robust contact tracing has taken place following identification of the single case. 

“While this work takes place, it is important that everyone takes sensible precautions – get a PCR test if you have symptoms, isolate when asked, wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, ventilate rooms, get your vaccine and boosters as soon as you can. 

“It is important to break the chain of transmission as quickly as possible, which is the aim of the additional testing. The quickest way of doing this is for individuals who test positive to self-isolate immediately. 
 
“Even if you are feeling well, I would urge everyone to play their part to keep their community safe. If you are contacted, please follow the instructions on testing you are given as soon as possible.” 

Dr Ravi Balakrishnan, Consultant in Health Protection, UK Health Security Agency East said:

“It is really important that those that have been identified as needing a PCR test linked to locations listed come forward and visit one of the mobile testing units in Brentwood. Omicron is a new variant and we have more work to do to understand how easily this can be transmitted, antibody response and how well the vaccines work to protect against it.

“If you have any COVID-19 symptoms you must self-isolate and get a PCR test. I urge everyone to take up their offer of a vaccine and booster, wear a mask in crowded places, shops and on public transport and continue to wash hands thoroughly and regularly. I thank the people of Brentwood for their support as the pandemic continues to throw us challenges.”