ENHANCED testing will take place in Bradford amid concerns over a rise in cases of the Indian variant.

Testing has found a number of cases of the 8.1.617.2 or the 'Indian variant' in Bradford.

In a letter to her constituents, Bradford West MP Naz Shah said: "The Government is now conducting enhanced PCR testing and sequencing within specific settings and locations where the variant has been identified. This now applies to Bradford.

"Residents of secondary school age who live, work or study in the targeted areas are strongly encouraged to take a Covid test. This is whether they are showing symptoms or not."

People who are showing Covid symptoms should book a test in the usual way.

Ms Shah says she will be speaking with Bradford Council and the Department of Health and Social Care to make sure "all processes are urgently in place, so we can do our upmost to stop the spread of the virus."

She also urged everyone not yet be vaccinated to book an appointment when called to do so.

The council's website has a page dedicated to enhanced Covid testing. 
It states anyone who lives, works or studies in a number of district wards have been urged to take a PCR test – even if they don't have any symptoms. These wards are: Bradford Moor, City, Clayton & Fairweather Green, Heaton, Little Horton, Royds, Thornton & Allerton and Toller. 

A Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust spokesman says the warning from Ms Shah is a 'reminder that Covid is still very much around'.
He said: “We support Naz Shah’s plea for people in Bradford to get their Covid vaccination as soon as they’re called. 
“At Bradford Teaching Hospitals we are seeing patients who are eligible for the jab and haven’t had it yet. 
"This is a reminder that Covid is still very much around and that getting vaccinated is the single most important thing people can do to save lives, protect the NHS, and help us return to normal life.”