People around Llandudno advised to be alert after 18 cases of ‘Indian’ variant found

Public Health Wales are advising people living in the Llandudno Junction, Llandudno and Penrhyn Bay areas to be alert for Coronavirus symptoms after 18 Covid cases believed of the so-called ‘Indian’ variant were found there.

The cases are all linked, and no outbreak has currently been declared. However a mobile testing unit is being made available, and members of the public living in these areas are being urged to come forward for a test.

Richard Firth, Consultant in Health Protection for Public Health Wales, and Chair of the multi-agency Incident Management Team, said the emergence of the variant in the area was a  “reminder that we should not become complacent”.

“Please be vigilant for the symptoms of Coronavirus, and get a test now,” he said. “If you are contacted by contact tracers, please help to protect your community by being honest with them about your movements and complying with their instructions.

“The sooner we act, the better.  Please come forward for testing, even if your symptoms are mild.  The more people with symptoms who come forward, the more cases we will find.  More people can then be referred into the Test, Trace, Protect programme, allowing contact tracers to take action to put a stop to the spread of this variant in the area.”

People who have Coronavirus symptoms, however mild, are invited to get a free PCR test at a mobile testing unit at Conwy Business Centre, Junction Way, Llandudno Junction, LL31 9XX.

Opening times will be 8am to 1pm and 2pm to 8pm every day.  The site is a walk-in and drive-through, and no appointment is required.  It will be available from Saturday 29 May up to and including Sunday 6 June.

Alternatively, members of the public can access the existing drive-through testing facility on Builder Street in Llandudno, which is open 8am to 1pm seven days a week.   To access this site, people will need to make an appointment by visiting the Welsh Government website or by phoning 119. The site is also open for lateral flow self-testing kits collection from 2pm to 8pm each day.