Brazilian variant which could be less effective to vaccines found in UK
Six cases of a worrying strain of coronavirus first identified in north Brazil have been found in the UK.
The variant may spread more quickly and respond less well to existing vaccines.
Cases of another Brazilian variant had already been found in the UK, however this strain, first found in Manaus, is of more concern.
Public Health England (PHE) said that three of the cases were found in England and three in Scotland.
The Scottish government said that the three Scottish residents who contracted the virus had returned to Scotland from Brazil via Paris and London.
Other passengers who were on the flight from London to Aberdeen are being contacted to get tested.
In England, the first two cases of the P.1 strain are from one household in South Gloucestershire with a history of travel to Brazil but the third is not linked.
Who that third person is remains a mystery as they did not complete their test registration card so follow-up details are unavailable.
Officials are asking anyone who took a test on February 12 or 13 and who has not received a result or has an uncompleted test registration card to come forward immediately.
Dr Susan Hopkins, PHE’s strategic response director for Covid-19, said: ‘We have identified these cases thanks to the UK’s advanced sequencing capabilities which means we are finding more variants and mutations than many other countries and are therefore able to take action quickly.
‘The important thing to remember is that Covid-19, no matter what variant it is, spreads in the same way. That means the measures to stop it spreading do not change.’
Surge testing will take place in South Gloucestershire after cases of the Manaus variant were discovered.
Residents who live in five postcode areas, who are aged over 16 and do not have symptoms of Covid-19, are invited to come forward for testing.
People who travel into the areas – BS32 0, BS32 8, BS32 9, BS34 5 and BS34 6 – for work or to visit someone they are in a support bubble with are also able to have a test.
Sara Blackmore, director of Public Health at South Gloucestershire Council, urged people who were invited to come forward and take a test.
‘We are keen that all South Gloucestershire residents in the postcode areas identified take part in this testing, which will help us to identify positive cases and prompt self-isolation, which helps to break the chain of transmission,’ she said.
‘We do recognise the challenge for residents of undertaking another additional testing programme and want to thank you in advance for your patience and support as we continue to work together to protect our communities from Covid-19.
‘We are working together with local and regional health partners, Public Health England and NHS Test and Trace, to deliver this swift, safe and co-ordinated response, with an enhanced community testing offer available to people in and around areas where this variant has been discovered.’
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