URGENT testing is taking place in eight areas of England, including Hanwell and part of West Ealing, where the new South African variant of COVID-19 has been discovered.

More than 5,500 households in the W7 area are involved.

The aim is to test as many people as possible living in the area at least once in the next two weeks.

Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: “I know people will be concerned to hear that a member of our community had the South African strain of the virus last month.

“I am very pleased they have made a full recovery and want to thank them for staying at home during self-isolation, which should have helped to lessen the spread.”

The individual is understood to have been tested for the virus at the end of December, despite not having travelled to South Africa or been in contact with anyone else who had.

The person, who is not being identified, is being praised for following all public health guidance and self-isolating. They have now made a full recovery.

Ealing Council’s public health team was contacted by national test and trace and asked to support its response.

A walk-through variant testing centre is in place at Dean Gardens car park in Leeland Terrace, West Ealing.

Coincidentally, a new mass testing centre opens this morning (2) on Uxbridge Road, Ealing.