The B1617.2 variant of the coronavirus has been spreading in the UK, with more than 3,400 cases identified so far. British health officials expressed optimism May 23 that the coronavirus restrictions remaining in England can be lifted in June after an official study found that the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines offer effective protection against the variant first identified in India.
There have been 780 deaths linked to Covid in the town, with 982 positive tests in the week up to May 16. Public Health England said on Thursday 3,424 cases have now been found, a rise of 2,111 since last week.
Cases of the B1617.2 variant have now been identified and surge testing has been deployed in Bedford, Burnley, Hounslow, Kirklees, Leicester and North Tyneside to root out cases of the strain.
Meanwhile, families in Bolton who refused to quarantine after trips to India have been blamed for the rise in variant cases.
“Bolton emerged as a hotspot for the Indian variant in the last few weeks, with surge testing deployed and locals asked to be vigilant. Its infection rate is 384.6 per 100,000 residents - a huge leap compared to the England average of 20.6,” The Sun reported.
Responding to the disclosure that 110 flights from India have arrived in the UK since 23, a spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: We have adapted and bolstered our world-leading test and quarantine systems for incoming passengers since the start of the pandemic.
"And will continue to closely monitor direct flights from a small number of Red List countries to see if a blanket ban would be necessary and proportionate."
Addressing reporters at a vaccination centre in London on Tuesday, the prime minister said he had seen "no conclusive evidence" to signal that the planned easing on 21 June could not go ahead.
However, both UK-approved Covid vaccines are effective against the highly transmissible variant that was first detected in India, fresh data shows. The Pfizer jab was found to be 88% effective against the B1617.2 strain after two doses, while AstraZeneca’s was 60%. However, they were only 33% effective three weeks after the first dose.
More than 50 million vaccine doses have been administered in England, while people aged 32 and 33 were invited to book in for their jab. Britons have been ordered not to travel in and out of eight Indian variant hotspots after stealth new restrictions were introduced. Ministers are warning people not to enter or leave areas where the strain is spreading fastest "unless it is essential".
