Surge coronavirus testing is to be deployed in two more parts of England after new South Africa variant cases were found.
Positive cases of the mutant strain have been found in the TS19 area of Stockton-on-Tees and Wembley in Brent, North London.
Additional testing will now be rolled out in both along with genomic sequencing to try and find any other cases.
Enhanced contact tracing will also used for people who are found to have tested positive for a concerning variant.
This means contact tracers will look back over an extended period in order to determine the route of transmission.
People living within the targeted areas are strongly encouraged to take a Covid-19 test when offered, whether they are showing symptoms or not.
Those with symptoms should book a free test online or by phone so they can get tested at a testing site or have a testing kit sent to them at home.
As with the original version, the risk of the South Africa variant is highest for people who are elderly or have significant underlying health conditions.
While it is not thought to be anymore deadly that other variants, but there are concerns it can spread more readily and vaccines may not work quite as well against it.
Those without symptoms should visit the local authority website for more information.
Wembley and Stockon-on-Tees are not the first two areas to have a case of the South Africa variant.
It has previously been found in Bramley, near Basingstoke, Middlesbrough and Walsall.
