More than 4,000 homes have been visited as part of surge testing in Broxbourne for the South African variant of coronavirus.

Jim McManus, Hertfordshire’s director of public health, has issued an update on how urgent testing is going in the EN10 postcode, with at least one case of the South African variant with no links to travel being recently confirmed within the local area.

Since February 4, households have been directly contacted at their doorstep and are being provided with a home testing kit from a public health or licensed officer (with hi-visibility uniform or valid ID).

Extra mobile testing capacity has also been set up at the Broxbourne Lido site & Paradise Wildlife Park (in EN10, Broxbourne) and home testing kits are also available to pick up from Wormley Community Centre and Hoddesdon Library.

Mr McManus tweeted on Saturday afternoon that “we are well on track to offer tests to every adult resident as planned”, with 8,471 tests having been issued as of Friday evening.

He also said that 4,322 homes have been visited.

Mr McManus tweeted: “Huge thanks to all involved in this significant team effort @hertscc including #publichealth team and Essex CC  @HFRS and Trading Standards @BroxbourneBC Herts , E Herts Council, Red Cross, Nazeing Volunteers, Essex Fire and Rescue, HRFS Volunteers @HertsPolice NHS and more.

“Remember you can still access a test in multiple ways and get updates on progress through http://hertfordshire.gov.uk/EN10.”

Hertfordshire County Council has urged all adult residents in the EN10 area of Broxbourne to have the Covid-19 test, with a push of information through letterboxes.

Urgent testing is being rolled out for another week until February 12, the council said.

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