Fast spreading Indian variant could 'become major issue in roadmap waiting game' – as cases double in a week

THE fast spreading Indian coronavirus variant could become a major issue in the roadmap out of lockdown, one expert has warned.

Cases of the variant have doubled in a week with 3,424 infections now in UK.

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Some date back to mid-April when the strain first arrived in the UK before rapidly spreading.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously said lockdown restrictions would be lifted on June 21, with the latest round of measures having been lifted on Monday.

But one expert has warned that if cases of the variant continue to grow at this pace, then it could mean restrictions stay in place for longer.

Professor Peter Openshaw said there is still some uncertainty when it comes to the transmissibility of B.1.617.2.

The Imperial College London expert, who has been advising the government on Covid-19, said working out how it's being passed on would be a major factor.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today Programme he said: "Looking at the rate of rise, I personally would feel very concerned that this is going to become quite a major issue of the next few weeks and that might very well delay the opening up."

He said that while he "desperately hopes" the country can get back to some sort of normality – we have to redouble the efforts to make sure that everyone who is eligible for a vaccine has one.

So far in the UK over 37.2 million Brits have received a first dose of a vaccine with 21.2 now having had a second.

Earlier in the week Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that some some people who had been hospitalised with the Indian variant in hotspot areas such as Bolton had not had their jab – despite being eligible.

Prof Openshaw said this could be key in the spread.

"I think the question that is still open now is whether the parts of the country where it is transmitting are exceptional in that the people who are transmitting are in very closely packed domestic situations with multigenerational households.

"It’s just been very very hard to trace those infections and to keep it under control and the vaccine rates are lower than they should be amongst those who are eligible for vaccines."

He explained that vaccines do work in reducing disease severity and added that he is "confident" that they reduce transmission.

Prof Openshaw said it was not yet clear as to how much they actually reduced transmission and added that a combination of high levels of vaccination and a very diligent local track and trace has been able to have an effect.

Public Health England (PHE) yesterday revealed that 3,424 cases of the Indian variant have now been found, a rise of 2,111 since last week.

 

Cases are still largely affecting the North West of England – particularly Bolton – and London, but clusters of cases are now being seen across the country.

The NHS is now in a race to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible against the spread of the Indian variant.

At least 30 per cent of adults are still waiting for one vaccine dose.

The programme began inviting those aged 35 and 34 this week, and it is believed those left in their thirties will start being invited in the next few days.

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