A handful of Indian variant cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Lincolnshire.
The Indian variant of concern, named B.1617.2, is one of three different Covid strains being investigated by Public Health England.
In some of the worst-affected areas, calls are being made to bring forward second vaccine doses, surge testing and local restrictions to tackle the spread.
It is thought to be more transmissible, but not currently evidenced to be more severe or less affected by the vaccine.
Professor Derek Ward, Lincolnshire County Councils director for public health, said very small numbers of the Indian variant had been confirmed in Lincolnshire.
He said: Its probably just a matter of time before we do see some transmission in the East Midlands but ultimately Im not overly concerned at this point, because if it does get hold, from what we know about at the moment, its only likely to outcompete the Kent variant.”
Professor Derek Ward (Image: Lincolnshire County Council)
Prof Ward said he was comfortable the Indian variant cases had mainly centred around people who had returned from foreign travel or who were connected with people who had.
He related it, and other variants, to the 200 different viruses that cause the common cold.
For the person who catches a cold theyre not really bothered about which it is because the symptoms are the same,” he said.
They know its going to last between a week or two and then theyre going to clear it.
With this variant, it looks like the vaccines are working perfectly well, it looks like youll get the same sorts of disease, no worse no better.
“Its just a bit more transmissible.
The cases are mostly people who have returned from foreign travel or who are connected with people who had.
