PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Coronavirus: Disease Control (14 May 2021)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tackle the surge in the Indian covid-19 variant while ensuring that social distancing restrictions can continue to ease.

Asked by:
Charlotte Nichols (Labour)

Additional rapid response measures will be implemented in areas where clusters of cases have been detected to stop further spread. These measures include:

- enhanced testing and contact tracing, including enhanced community and surge testing in areas defined by the local authorities and regional teams;

- increased genome sequencing of positive cases;

- increased community engagement, including ensuring that messages are accessible in languages that are used by communities;

- working closely with communities and community leaders to ensure that individuals are supported to test and self-isolate; and

- ensuring access to vaccination in the age and risk groups currently prioritised for vaccination and encouraging uptake.

Answered by:
Jo Churchill (Conservative)
21 May 2021