A NATIONWIDE search is under way this morning for a mystery person infected with the Brazilian variant of Coronavirus, which ministers have branded a “concern” because it may be more resistant to vaccines.
Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said a massive effort is underway to locate the missing Covid patient and said they need to be found “as soon as possible” so measures can be taken to squash any outbreak.
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He urged anyone who took a test across the country on February 12 or 13 and has not had their result back to come forward by calling NHS 119 in England.
But he admitted the authorities currently know very little about the person, including where they took the test and whether or not they entered the country from abroad.
Mr Zahawi told Sky News: “In terms of its profile this P1 variant is much closer to the South African variant which we’ve been dealing with now for several weeks by surge testing, genome sequencing, and isolation.
“This is a variant of concern. It’s very similar in terms of its mutations to the South African variant so it is concerning.
“There is one case who the individual didn’t fill in their test card details so we can contact them. They probably got a home kit or a test kit from their local authority.
“What we’re asking today is if anyone had a test on February 12 or 13 to contact NHS 119 so we make sure we identify that individual.”
He said Public Health England are working with the postal service to try and establish where the person’s test kit was mailed from.
But asked if he knew whether they’d arrived from abroad, he replied: “We don’t. Part of the reason we want to locate them quickly is to understand more about them and their movements.
“They could be asymptomatic or they could’ve had symptoms and be isolating, but we need to find them as soon as possible.”
Two cases of the Brazilian variant have also been located in South Gloucestershire, which were brought into the country by someone who arrived from Sao Paolo before hotel quarantine came into force.
But Mr Zahawi defended Britain’s border measures, saying the fact that person had followed all the rules and isolated properly meant “there’s minimal reason to believe there may be further spread” of the virus.
He added that asymptomatic testing will still be rolled out across the area to make sure the variant hasn’t transmitted to other households.
It comes after Public Health England today confirmed six cases of the Manaus P1 variant.
It is thought to be more contagious and there is a chance it may not respond as well to the jab – although no vaccine data for it exists.
Three of the people with the new strain were detected on Friday in England, while three were found in Scotland on Saturday.
Health officials have identified five of the cases, but an urgent alert has been issued to find the sixth as their identity and whereabouts is unknown.
They did not register their Covid test online, meaning they have not been identified.
A government spokesperson told Trending In The News officials are doing everything they can to find the person.
They said: “As we have done throughout this pandemic we will continue to take all steps necessary to protect the public and help prevent the spread of the virus, with strong measures in place at our borders.
“When confronted with new variants, we have taken swift action to save lives and thanks to the UK’s advanced sequencing capabilities, we are finding more mutations than many other countries.
“Very occasionally we do have a test result where the individual has not provided their details.
“Every effort is underway to locate this person and in the meantime it is important people come forward for testing, continue to follow the restrictions in place and stay at home whenever possible.”
Anyone who took a test on February 12 or 13 but didn’t receive their result or has an uncompleted test registration card is urged to call 119 in England or 0300 303 2713 in Scotland for assistance as soon as possible.
The new strain has been described as “of concern” compared to the P2 variant from Brazil that has already been found in the UK.
This is because it shares important mutations with the variant first identified in South Africa.
Two patients found to have the variant are from the same household in South Gloucestershire, with surge testing being launched in the area from 9am tomorrow.
PHE said one of the people had travelled back from Brazil and passed on the disease to a family member but they have been isolating.
Their cases were followed up by the PHE Health Protection Team with their contacts identified and re-tested.
Two additional people in the same Gloucestershire household have tested positive for Covid, but gene sequencing has not yet confirmed if they have the P.1 variant.
PHE has confirmed there is no wide risk to the community and have asked residents to visit the council’s website for more information.
PHE is also urging anyone who flew on Swiss Air flight LX318 travelling from Sao Paulo to London Heathrow via Zurich on February 10 to come forward.
They are hoping to get everyone on the flight and members of their households tested.
Anyone on the flight has been asked to call 0117 450 3174 to arrange a test.
Those returning to the UK should have immediately quarantined at home for 10 days as they arrived before the hotel quarantine rules came into force on February 15.
Residents who live in five postcode areas, who are aged over 16 and do not have symptoms of Covid-19, are invited to come forward for testing from tomorrow.
People who travel into the areas – BS32 0, BS32 8, BS32 9, BS34 5 and BS34 6 – for work or to visit someone they are in a support bubble with are also able to have a test.
There will be drive-in surge testing sites as well as a locations where residents can walk in to collect a test kit to take home and complete, and the programme is expected to run for one week, ending on March 7.
Sara Blackmore, director of Public Health at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “Behave as if you are carrying the virus, stay in and only leave home if you must.”
