A person has tested positive for the South African variant of coronavirus in Pollards Hill.

MP Siobhain McDonagh announced the news yesterday evening after being informed someone in the area had tested positive with the variant. 

The news comes as the government announced they will start to ramp up measures to prevent the spread of the new strain.

Urgent door-to-door testing for the South Africa variant is to start in parts of England, including Mitcham after untraceable cases of coronavirus were found in London.

The 'surge testing' has been announced as a 'precautionary measure' and will monitor the community spread of the new variant.

MORE: Door-to-door 'surge testing' to start after South Africa Covid variant found

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Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhain McDonagh issued a statement on Monday evening.

"I was told this afternoon that someone in the Pollards Hill area tested positive for the South African variant of coronavirus," she said.

"I understand that they isolated and are recovering well. 

"As a result of this discovery, it is important that everybody is protected and that it is why testing will be made available to everyone.

"There will be a mobile testing centre within the next few days at a central location in the Pollards Hill area. 

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"For people who would prefer it, there will be hand delivered tests and these will also be collected the same day.

"10,000 tests will be available, enough for everybody over the age of 16. 

"In order to ensure that everybody has the confidence to take a test, I will be arguing that there is financial assistance to everyone who tests positive or who needs to self-isolate.

"Just as soon as we know when this work will start, I will deliver an information sheet with the local councillors to every household."

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan urged people in Mitcham and other affected areas in London not to “panic”.

Speaking to LBC, Mr Khan said: “The concern is that this particular type of virus spreads very quickly – the word is transmissible.

“We need to understand how much of this particular strain of the virus has come into the London community.”

We will update you with more information as it comes to us.