Everyone who lives, works or studies in targeted areas within Shear Brow and Corporation Park, Billinge and Beardwood, and Bastwell and Daisyfield, Blackburn with Darwen should take a COVID-19 PCR test.
Working in partnership with the local authority, NHS Test and Trace is providing additional testing and genomic sequencing in targeted areas within the Blackburn area. It follows the identification of confirmed cases of the variant first identified in India (B.1.617.2).
The confirmed cases have self-isolated and their contacts are being identified.
Everyone who lives, works or studies in the targeted areas is strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 PCR test, whether they are showing symptoms or not, from Tuesday 18 May.
Enhanced contact tracing will be used for individuals testing positive with a variant of concern (VOC). This is where contact tracers look back over an extended period to determine the route of transmission.
By using PCR testing, positive results can be sent for genomic sequencing at specialist laboratories, helping us to identify VOC cases and their spread.
If you have symptoms you should book a free test online or by phone so you can be tested at a testing site or have a testing kit sent to your home. If you have no symptoms, you should visit the Blackburn with Darwen council website f
