A SMALL number of cases of the so-called Indian variant have been recorded in Wiltshire.

This is slated to be the final Covid-19 update report to cabinet as the last stage of the government roadmap out of lockdown nears.

However, council chief executive, Terence Herbert said that the June 21 date could be pushed back due to variants of concern.

More Indian variant news:

He said that Kate Blackburn, Wiltshire’s director of public health, is working hard to contain the spread of the variant.

To date 14 cases of the variant have been recorded in the county, however, it is anticipated that the cases will continue to rise.

Mr Herbert stressed that residents should continue to follow all the guidance and advice given throughout the pandemic.

The seven-day case rate in Wiltshire has remained low for several weeks with figures – as of Tuesday, June 1 – are at seven per 100,000 people.

“That is encouraging to see but we’re not easing off the brakes with the health advice,” the council boss said.

In terms of vaccinations over 528,000 jabs have made their way into the arms of residents. Of these 310,000 are the first dose and 218,000 are the second dose.

The importance of regular testing was also enforced by Mr Herbert. He said that as cases of the variants of concern rise, it was vital to be mindful of the three main Covid symptoms.

People should also self-isolate immediately with their households and book a PCR test if they display any of the symptoms.

Twice weekly testing with lateral flow tests was also encouraged – as this is how some of the variants of concern were identified.

Asymptomatic test sites in Wiltshire can be found at:

  • Devizes Leisure Centre
  • Bourne Hill in Salisbury
  • Monkton Park in Chippenham
  • Springfield Community Campus in Corsham
  • Calne Leisure Centre
  • The Vale Community Campus in Pewsey
  • Nadder Centre in Tisbury

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