CASES of the so-called 'Indian variant' of Covid have been confirmed in Cheshire West and Chester.

Latest available data from the Covid-19 Genomic Surveillance section of the Wellcome Sanger Institute reveals that a handful of new coronavirus cases confirmed in the borough this month have come from the variant known scientifically as B.1.617.2, but currently being talked about on national news as the Indian variant.

Cheshire West and Chester is one of 86 local authorities to have the variant, as Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday warned it could "pose a threat" to the process of deciding whether all lockdown measures will cease by June 21.

Early indications show the new variant is more transmissible than existing Covid strains, and is behind the rise in the number of Covid infections in the North West, particularly in Bolton and Blackburn.

However, the data also shows the vast majority of new cases are among younger people (ie aged under 60) – who are far more likely to have yet to receive a Covid vaccination – suggesting that the currently available vaccines are still effective against the new variant.

It's too early to tell whether the new variant is more harmful, as severe Covid cases can take weeks to become serious enough to require hospital admissions.

In the Countess of Chester Hospital Trust area, there are currently no Covid patients being treated in hospital, according to the most recently available data.

It's not unusual for Covid variants to become 'the new norm' for cases being detected in various boroughs.

In Cheshire West and Chester, cases of the original coronavirus strain have long since died out, and until the so-called 'Indian variant' came along, all the cases being confirmed in the borough were that of the 'UK variant', which first appeared in the borough last November.

The new variant was responsible in Cheshire West and Chester for over 10 per cent of new cases by the week ending May 8, but this still only meant about five new cases in total.

There are also signs the rapid rise in the number of new Covid infections in Bolton and Blackburn is beginning to level off. Surge testing is being rolled out in the area, as are extra vaccine doses.

In Cheshire West and Chester, all residents aged 37 or over can now book for a vaccine, with 36-year-olds able to apply from tomorrow (Wednesday).