New variant of Covid-19 'almost certainly already in our area' says Calderdale health chief

The Covid strain that has caused cases to rise dramatically in the UK has been found to be more than 50 per cent more infectious than other variants.

The new mutation is thought to be driving the surge of the virus in London and the south east of England, though it has also been found elsewhere in the UK.

Calderdale Council’s Director for Public Health, Deborah Harkins, said: “The discovery and rapid increase of the new strain of COVID-19 is extremely concerning and although we know the rate is particularly high in Tier 4 locations, unfortunately the strain is almost certainly already in our area.

“Studies are ongoing into the properties of the new strain, but we do know that it is extremely infectious and if you come in to contact with someone with this strain you are far more likely to catch it.

“I would urge everyone to be even more stringent in following the guidelines, and limit contact with others as much as possible. If people have travelled to our area from London, the South-East or Wales in recent days we also recommend that they act as though they have the new strain and self-isolate at home, with no visitors allowed in that house at all for 10 days.

“We know this is further upsetting news, but it’s so important we take this seriously.

“Even if you haven’t travelled from elsewhere in the country, the best way we can all show our love for our friends and family is to follow the three big things - keep contact with other people to a minimum, wear a face covering indoors with people we don’t live with, and self-isolate when necessary.

"It’s so important that we consider the serious potential consequences of our actions and don’t put loved ones at risk.”

Data released by Public Health England (PHE) showed that people with the new mutant strain of coronavirus are 54 per cent more likely to pass it on to others.

The proportion of people who caught the new strain of the virus was 15.1 per cent. This was higher than the 9.8 per cent of people who tested positive for coronavirus after coming into contact with someone infected by a different variant.

The data also suggested that the number of all cases accounted for by the new virus mutation was up in all age groups.

PHE’s senior medical adviser, Dr Susan Hopkins, said, “Our investigations continue into a new strain of Sars-Cov-2, predominantly in the south and east of England.

“Preliminary evidence suggests that the new variant does not cause more severe disease or increased mortality but we are continuing our investigations to understand this better.

“The best way to stop infection, whatever the variant, is to stick to the rules - wash our hands, wear a face covering and keep our distance from others.”

Is the mutation more deadly?

The new mutation is more infectious, however, there is no evidence to suggest that it is more deadly.

There is also no evidence that the new strain is more infectious in children than other variants.