Thousands of people in and around Moss Side to be offered tests after new Covid variant found Four cases of a new strain, related to one already identified in Bristol, have been detected in Moss Side. Everyone living and working in the surrounding area will be offered tests from Tuesday Updated The video will auto-play soon8Cancel Play now More than ten thousand people in Moss Side and neighbouring communities are to be offered immediate Covid-19 tests after a new variant of the virus was identified in the area. From Tuesday Manchester council will be inviting all over-16s living, working or studying within a specific footprint - including most of Moss Side and small parts of Whalley Range, Hulme and Fallowfield - for tests, after four cases of a new strain were identified in two unrelated households.