Suspected Brazil Covid-19 variants found at car parts firm in Dordon

All staff at a car parts company in Dordon are to receive Covid-19 tests following two cases of the Brazil variant of the virus.

LKQ Euro Car Parts, located at Birch Coppice Business Park, told local authorities that there had been two probable cases of the 'VOC-21JAN-02' variant among employees.

The individuals are self-isolating and close contacts have been identified.

Warwickshire County Council and Public Health England are working with the company and its employees.

Public Health England has said that there is currently no evidence to suggest this variant causes more severe illness or than any other variant currently circulating in the UK, but it is still being closely monitored.

A mobile testing unit will be set up on site at the company and all staff are being asked to take a PCR test.

As an extra precaution staff will be asked to take daily rapid lateral flow tests (LFTs), until they have the result of their PCR test.

Steve Maxey, Chief Executive at North Warwickshire Borough Council said: "Only by acting together will we have the best chance of containing the virus. Reassuringly, North Warwickshire's rate of infection is very low (currently just nine cases per 100,000) however we cannot be complacent and will take reports of new variants very seriously, working with PHE colleagues to isolate those cases as quickly as possible."

Helen Robinson, Corporate Communications Director from LKQ Euro Car Parts added: "We have worked closely with PHE, local councils and other NHS and government bodies throughout the pandemic to help quickly track and isolate cases when colleagues have tested positive.

"The additional measures we're taking in Dordon are precautionary but means we're doing everything we can to help PHE to prevent the spread of this variant.

"Our teams across the UK have been working brilliantly since last March to help keep everyone in our business safe so that we can help keep Britain moving. We'll be giving our colleagues in Dordon our full support with additional testing over the coming weeks."