Council confirms the Indian Covid-19 strain has been found in Sunderland

Sunderland City Council have confirmed that a "very small number" of cases of the Indian coronavirus variant have been found in the city.

The Executive Director of Public Health says "all public health measures are being followed and cases are self-isolating".

Here is the full statement from Gerry Taylor, Executive Director of Public Health and Integrated Commissioning:

"We currently have a very small number of confirmed cases of the Indian variant in Sunderland. All public health measures are being followed and cases are self-isolating. We will not disclose further information due to patient confidentiality."

"While there is no evidence that the Indian variant of the virus causes more serious illness, there is some evidence that this variant is easier to pass on than other variants.

"That’s why it’s more important than ever that we all continue following the guidance in place to keep us safe, which is something people in Sunderland have been doing so well since the start of the pandemic.

"So I’d encourage everyone to continue to follow the hands, face, space and fresh air guidance, test twice weekly if they don’t have symptoms, even if they have had both doses of the vaccine and to self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test if they have symptoms such as a new persistent cough, a high temperature or a loss or change in sense and smell."

This comes as door to door Covid testing began this morning in North Tyneside following a rise in cases of the Indian Variant.

Today addresses in Wallsend, Whitley Bay and North Shields have been targeted.

The North Tyneside Council and the fire service will deliver PCR testing kits - but they say this isn't in response to the confusing Government travel advice yesterday.