Hartlepool chief reassures residents after 'isolated case' of South African covid variant in borough

Cllr Shane Moore, Hartlepool Borough Council leader, provided the update after it was revealed a resident in the borough was found to have had the South African variant of the virus at the start of February.

Earlier this week South Tees Public Health chief Mark Adams told how the variant had been uncovered in Hartlepool, while updating councillors on efforts to track one case of the mutation in Middlesbrough.

Cllr Moore, Headland and Harbour ward representative, provided an update on Facebook, stating it was an isolated case where the resident had returned from abroad, and full protocols were put in place.

He said: “Please be assured that although a case of the SA variant was detected in Hartlepool at the start of this month it was an isolated case where the resident had returned from abroad.

“Full protocols were put in place with Public Health England, the resident isolated and there was no further transmission.

“Because of this Public Health England felt no further action was required and there was no need to cause alarm.

“The alarm was raised in Middlesbrough as the case there had no foreign travel and had clearly been picked up through community transmission, which is why surge testing was required and residents asked to come forward.”

Cllr Moore, Independent Union representative on the council, added he was extremely thankful for the efforts of residents in helping to reduce the rate of Covid-19 cases in recent weeks.

He added: “As we have seen from our numbers over recent weeks, Hartlepool is doing really well and that’s all down to your fantastic effort.”

Middlesbrough Council went public with news of the case of the South African variant last Friday.

Those living in the Marton and Coulby Newham areas, and regular visitors to the Parkway shopping centre, were encouraged to take part in surge testing to try and slow the potential spread.

The case in Hartlepool was not made public but officials say all the proper protocols were followed and the person and their family isolated.

Craig Blundred, Hartlepool’s director of public health, said genomic sequencing by Public Health England revealed the variant in the town.

There is no evidence that the South African variant of Covid-19 causes more serious illness, but there are some concerns it can spread more readily.

Support your Mail and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on Pools and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.