The South African Covid-19 variant has yet to be detected again in Hertfordshire since mass testing was rolled out in an area of the county.

Nearly 10,000 tests have been completed since residents living in the EN10 area of Broxbourne were urged by public health officials to take a coronavirus test.

Emergency test centres were set up and door-to-door testing began as part of a national programme following an "isolated number" of the new South African variant of Covid-19 being recently confirmed within that postcode area.

The emergency testing has come to an end today (February 10) with Hertfordshire County Council revealing no new cases of the South African variant have been found - although some tests are still being processed in laboratories.

So far in this programme in Broxbourne, 92 Covid tests have returned a positive result (a non South African variant) and the council says those residents have been told to self-isolate.

Hertfordshire's director of public health has heaped praise on the Broxbourne community after thousands underwent Covid tests.

Jim McManus said: "Our residents in the EN10 area of Broxbourne have been absolutely fantastic. They have helped bring infection rates down, and they have proactively used the testing routes available to them.

"I would like to offer a personal ‘thank you’ to every single one, of the thousands of people, who has completed a COVID-19 test. You really have made a difference.

"We are still likely to see a further increase in the positive test results in EN10 but, so far, have not received any figures relating to the South African variant, which may still take time to process."

If you are an EN10 resident and are yet to be tested, you can book a test online at one of the drive or walk-through test sites. For more information, visit: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/about-the-council/news/coronavirus-tests-broxbourne.aspx