Surge testing is being deployed in parts of Birmingham after a case of the South African variant was discovered.

Areas of Alum Rock and Glebe Farm & Tile Cross have been targeted for testing and all those in the affected places are being told to come forward for a test.

The person who tested positive for the variant has gone into self-isolation and their contacts have been identified, according to the Department of Health.

Last week, surge testing was introduced in the city’s Ladywood, Jewellery Quarter and Soho ward after a single case of the variant was found there.

Health officials said initial investigations suggest the new case is “not linked to a case previously identified in the Birmingham and Sandwell areas”.

Anybody aged 16 or over from the new areas who is contacted is being “strongly encouraged” to take a PCR test whether they have symptoms or not.

Those who test positive for a variant will have enhanced contact tracing, looking back over an extended period of time to help understand how the virus was transmitted.

People are still being advised to have twice-weekly rapid tests alongside the PCR test as part of surge testing.

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