Coronavirus: India 'variant of concern' detected on Merseyside
Leaders are urging all over 40s to make sure they get a vaccine
The Indian COVID variant, which has been classified by Public Health England as a ‘variant of concern’, has been detected in Sefton.
Council Leader Ian Maher says:
“We understand that while it has been detected locally, this variant does not seem to affect people more seriously or inhibit the effectiveness of the vaccines currently being rolled out across the UK.
“Sefton Council will be working closely with Public Health England and other partners to provide all the local knowledge and expertise it can to support any work that is required to identify and contain the variant.”
“Also, it doesn’t appear to be more infectious than the Kent variant, which is now the dominant strain in Britain.
Yesterday, England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty suggested that might NOT be the case though.
Speaking at Downing Street, he said: "I think our view is that this is a highly transmissible variant, at least as transmissible as the B.1.1.7 Kent variant. It is possible it is more transmissible but we'll have to see."
Vaccination, testing and following rules
Cllr Ian Maher has also said: “Vaccination, testing and all of us following the rules on distancing, face-covering and handwashing are all still key to preventing the spread of COVID.
“It is vital that people go along to get their first and second vaccination jabs when they are offered them. You can now get the COVID-19 vaccine if you’re aged 40 or over or if your 40th birthday is between now and 1st July. You can book your appointment online or by phone.
“And, whether vaccinated or not, it’s still important that those of us going to work or out and about regularly continue to take the rapid tests, which are free and widely available across the Borough, twice a week.”
Anyone with the coronavirus symptoms of a new persistent cough, a high temperature or a loss of sense of taste or smell, should self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.
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