Mary Wilson
Well-known member
Friday 8 January 2021, 2:39pm
Around eight in 10 recent positive cases of Covid-19 in London and eastern England could be the new UK variant, figures suggest.
Across England as a whole it is estimated it could account for 61% of new cases, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced in mid-December that experts had identified a new variant of coronavirus which he said may have been responsible for the “faster spread” in south-east England.
This week, as he imposed a third national lockdown on England, Boris Johnson said the variant, which is up to 70% more transmissible, was spreading in a "frustrating and alarming" manner.
The ONS, which gives figures for infections in private households, said 81% of positive cases in London from December 28 to January 2 were estimated to be genetically compatible with the new variant, while in eastern England the estimate is 78%.
(PA Graphics)Credit: PA Graphics
https://www.itv.com/news/2021-01-08...of-englands-coronavirus-cases-figures-suggest
Around eight in 10 recent positive cases of Covid-19 in London and eastern England could be the new UK variant, figures suggest.
Across England as a whole it is estimated it could account for 61% of new cases, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced in mid-December that experts had identified a new variant of coronavirus which he said may have been responsible for the “faster spread” in south-east England.
This week, as he imposed a third national lockdown on England, Boris Johnson said the variant, which is up to 70% more transmissible, was spreading in a "frustrating and alarming" manner.
The ONS, which gives figures for infections in private households, said 81% of positive cases in London from December 28 to January 2 were estimated to be genetically compatible with the new variant, while in eastern England the estimate is 78%.
https://www.itv.com/news/2021-01-08...of-englands-coronavirus-cases-figures-suggest