A variant of coronavirus that was first detected in South Africa and was first sequenced in the UK in December 2020 has now affected eight postcodes across the country.

A small number of positive cases that cannot be traced back to international travel have been reported in these areas.

All of the people who have tested positive are now self-isolating, with contact tracing having taken place to trace contacts and ask them to self-isolate.

How far are these cases away from Bucks?

The closest of these cases has been reported in Ealing, 25 miles away from High Wycombe town centre.

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Second closest is a case reported 35 miles away from High Wycombe town centre in Guilford, 35 miles away.

The remaining postcodes are as follows:

  • CR4 (Mitcham) - 36 miles
  • N17 (Tottenham) - 37 miles
  • EN10 (Broxbourne) - 48 miles
  • ME15 (Maidstone) - 79 miles
  • WS2 (Walsall) - 136 miles
  • PR9 (Southport) - 201 miles

Speaking on the variant, Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: "It is vital that we do all we can to stop transmission of this variant and I strongly urge everyone in these areas to get tested, whether you have symptoms or not.

"The best way to stop the spread of the virus – including new variants – is to stay at home and follow the restrictions in place.

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"Until more people are vaccinated this is the only way we will control the spread of the virus.

The UK is a global leader in COVID-19 genomics, and because of this, we have been able to identify new strains of the virus and take decisive action.

"We continue to closely monitor new variants, here and around the world, and in addition to our already extensive testing service, we are making surge testing capacity available to affected areas."