There is currently no evidence that this variant causes more severe illness, but it is more easily spread. Although the risk to the wider community is considered low, as a precaution, Bradford Council, working in collaboration with PHE and NHS Test and Trace,
is conducting extra testing in targeted areas.
Enhanced testing is taking place in the following areas;
- Toller
- Little Horton
- Heaton
- Manningham
- Clayton and Fairweather Green
- Thornton and Allerton
- Bradford Moor
- City
- Royds
We are taking proactive steps in these areas to encourage testing and uptake of the vaccine. We have teams going door to door offering PCR tests and have also set up various mobile testing units.
We are encouraging everyone who lives, works or studies in these areas to take a PCR test whether they have symptoms or not and even if they have been vaccinated. Two doses of either of the COVID vaccines offers a high level of protection against the variant.
We are also encouraging whole households, including children, to get tested with a home PCR test kit.
The same national guidance continues to apply in areas where new variants have been identified and education settings can remain open. Twice weekly rapid testing should continue in educational settings and parents and other adults in households with children
at school or college, who do not have symptoms, should continue to access the regular, rapid coronavirus testing.
As cases are rising in our young people, we are asking for your support in encouraging students and their families across the whole district, not just the areas of enhanced testing, to keep doing the twice-weekly rapid LFD tests. We also need to remind them
that if they test positive they must stay at home and get a PCR test and, if the positive is confirmed, they must self-isolate in order to prevent the virus from spreading and to keep their friends and family safe. Please also encourage them to continue to
follow the ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’ advice. We also ask that schools in the areas of enhanced testing, or with pupils who live in those areas, please encourage parents to take part in the extra testing.
Our Public Health team continues to recommend that pupils in secondary schools, special schools and FE colleges wear face coverings in corridors and communal areas (but not in classrooms). Good classroom ventilation remains essential to further reduce COVID
risk.
The rise in cases, particularly among the young and unvaccinated, is a reminder that COVID has not gone away and we must all remain vigilant.
As schools, your support is invaluable in:
- continuing with a robust policy to reduce COVID transmission in school,
- reporting any COVID cases through the usual channels to the Council, and
- providing public health information to pupils, students and parents about PCR testing for COVID symptoms or after positive LFD tests, and self-isolation.
The Bradford Council website has details of
testing in Bradford District and information on
financial support low income parents may be eligible for if they are self-isolating or caring for a child who is self-isolating.
You can also find a range of resources on the
Public Health Guidance for Schools page on Bradford Schools Online, including a poster encouraging testing in areas of enhanced testing.