#COVID19 #variants identified in UK. More: https://t.co/NxiBAaLVssCases of VOC-21APR-02 have risen by 2,111 since last week.
These are still predominantly affecting the North West of England – particularly Bolton – and London. pic.twitter.com/gADvCktEevLast week, the number of cases was 1,313 and 520 a week earlier.
Dr Meera Chand, Covid Incident Director at PHE, said that "VOC-21APR-02 has grown rapidly in England and may be highly transmissible".
The PHE, she said, will continue to monitor all variants closely, paying particular attention to the impact on hospitalisations and deaths which will help us to understand the protective effects of the vaccine.Chand said that there was currently no evidence to suggest the vaccines would be less.