SURGE Covid testing is being deployed in three new areas after rising cases of the South African variant.
The Government is extending rapid testing to Middlesbrough, Walsall and Hampshire to help monitor and suppress the spread of the strain.
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Additional surge testing and genomic sequencing is being deployed to targeted areas in Middlesbrough within TS7 postcodes.
It is also being launched in parts of Walsall, and in specific areas in the RG26 postcode in Hampshire where the Covid-19 variant first identified in South Africa has been found.
People living within these areas are strongly encouraged to take a Covid-19 test this week, whether they are showing symptoms or not.
People with symptoms should book a test in the usual way, and those without symptoms should visit their local authority website for more information.
A case of the South African variant of Covid-19 has been identified in the village of Bramley, near Basingstoke, Hampshire.
Residents of the area aged over 16 will next week be subject to a surge-testing programme in a bid to find any further cases of the variant.
But Simon Bryant, director of public health at Hampshire County Council, has told people not to panic.
He said: "I appreciate that this news may be worrying for the local community, but it's really important to understand that the risk of transmission from this single case is considered to be very low.
"This is helped by the fact that national restrictions are in place, with most people staying at home and adhering to the Government guidance of 'hands, face, space'.
"Furthermore, there is no evidence that this particular variant causes more severe illness, or that the regulated vaccines do not protect against it.
"Following confirmation of the case and in line with Government guidelines, the county council has begun work with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Public Health England, our local NHS, as well as the Department of Health and Social Care, to arrange a localised surge-testing programme in the area. This is due to begin next week.
"The rapid local testing programme is primarily a precautionary measure designed to help the Government to better understand and prevent the spread of new variants across the country."
Surge testing in the Egham and Broxbourne areas, which began on February 6 and February 1, is now complete.
People living in areas of Lambeth in south London, as well as parts of Worcestershire, Manchester, Kent and Surrey have all been offered tests when cases of new strains have been identified.
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