Kingsbrook residents fight back against COVID threat

More than 75 percent of households in the area have taken part in rapid COVID testing after strains of the Indian variant were found.

Over the last three days, over 900 PCR tests have been undertaken in Kingsbrook, Aylesbury. All of those that were returned have now been sent off for testing.

Anyone unable to get a PCR test during the last three days, and still wants to take a test can visit: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119.

Dr Jane O'Grady, Director of Public Health in Buckinghamshire said: "Firstly, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time out to do their tests.

All positive COVID-19 tests from our targeted testing in the Kingsbrook area will be sent for genomic sequencing as this is needed to see whether anyone has a variant of concern. This will help us to understand the spread of the variant locally.

People who test positive will be contacted by NHS test and trace in the normal way within a few days of the test. Anyone with a positive test must self-isolate for 10 days following their notification, along with their whole household. All the positive tests will undergo genomic sequencing to see if they have a variant of concern.

Anyone whose test result shows they have a variant of concern will be contacted by Public Health England in order to carry out enhanced contact tracing. At the moment genomic sequencing is taking a few weeks so people may not hear until after that.

The most important thing is that people continue to follow the guidance that is in place – wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, keep your distance from people you do not live with, wear a face covering and get tested with rapid lateral flow tests twice a week. Please remember meeting outdoors is much safer than meeting indoors but if you do need to meet indoors try to ensure the room is well ventilated – open windows and doors where possible. If you test positive by any method, you must isolate to stop the spread of the virus."

Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council said: "I would like to thank the residents of Kingsbrook in Aylesbury for their support over the last three days and to everyone who has come forward to get tested. It was a huge effort by both local people and the team of volunteers who have been in the area to help get the testing done."

Twice weekly rapid testing is now available to everyone. People without symptoms can take regular Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs), which alongside the vaccine play an important part in ending lockdown and allowing us to return to a more normal way of life. To find out how to get a LFT test visit our website:

https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/get-tested-for-covid-19/