Indian coronavirus variant appears in Colchester
It comes as targeted testing happens in Chelmsford
Just under 10 per cent of new cases of coronavirus in Colchester are the Indian variant.
That's according to data for the two weeks to the 8th of May.
That compares to nearly 73 per cent of new cases in Chelmsford.
Yesterday we heard that targeted testing is taking place in the city, with no obvious link to foreign travel.
The data, which is accessible here shows different strains on the virus in positive test results.
When it comes to Colchester, this appears to be just one case as numbers remain low in the borough.
Director of Public Health at Essex County Council, Dr Mike Gogarty, said yesterday:
"Though the light is at the end of the tunnel with the continued roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine, the emergence of this new variant proves we can’t let down our guard. We need anyone not showing Covid-19 symptoms, particularly those in Chelmsford, to play their part and take a test.
"I would ask that all residents across the county continue to test regularly. Regular self-testing, twice a week, with lateral flow tests can reduce the spread of infection and stop people unknowingly passing on the virus to others."