Indian coronavirus variant 'under analysis' says Harries
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The number of cases of the Covid Indian variant has jumped from 520 last week to 1,313 this week. Hot spots include Bolton and London, although the mutant strain is most concentrated in North West England. Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock, said: “Everyone has a part to play in controlling this variant, from participating in surge testing, to following the rules, to getting the jab.” A new Surge Rapid Response Team is being deployed in Bolton, and additional surge testing will shortly be launching in Formby, Merseyside.
Hancock said that the Government “will not hesitate to take further action if necessary”.
Monday May 17 is set to be the first day when people will be able to drink and eat inside bars and restaurants since last year.
The easing of lockdown will see groups of up to six people, or two households, enjoy more freedoms indoors.
However, government officials have warned that the Covid Indian variant could put a spanner in the works.
“We cannot rule out re-imposing economic and social restrictions at a local or regional level,” the Government announced.
The caveat for this happening is that the Covid strain must show evidence that it “escapes the vaccine”.
At present, there isn’t enough world wide data to know whether the Covid variant can do this.
“There is no firm evidence yet to show this variant has any greater impact on severity of disease or evades the vaccine,” the Government clarified.
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Nevertheless, the variant is “concerning” ministers because of it’s speed of growth.
Ministers are weighing up how best to utilise the vaccine roll-out to best protect the most vulnerable groups.
This may include bringing forward the timescale as to when people get their second Covid jabs.
People are only considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second jab, said the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC emphasised: “If it has been less than two weeks since your shot, or if you still need to get your second shot, you are NOT fully protected.”
Surge testing has been deployed in 15 areas across England to help try suppress transmission.
Over 4,400 cases and over 14,000 close contacts have been traced and instructed to self-isolate.
Self-isolation involves not leaving your home for any reason, including work, school, or food shopping.
The NHS said you must also self-isolate immediately if you have any symptoms of Covid.
The main symptoms of Covid:
- Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- A high temperature
- A new continuous cough
You must also self-isolate if you live with someone who has symptoms or tested positive for the virus.
People told to self-isolate from the NHS Track and Trace system are required to do so for 10 days.
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