Here's how to find out if the Indian variant of Covid-19 is in your area

A new interactive map identifies the areas in England where the Indian variant of Covid-19 is present.

As lockdown restrictions continue to ease around the country, the Government is urging caution amid concerns about a new variant of Covid-19 which could spread faster than previous variants.

Mass testing is being carried in specific areas across the country, and some places are even offering vaccines to 18-30-year-olds to try and halt transmission.

The good news is that early studies suggest that the vaccines are effective against B.1.617, otherwise known as the Indian variant.

However, although over half of the UK adult population has received at least one dose of the vaccine, it is thought that the recent rise in cases is linked to the Indian variant.

The UK has seen Covid-19 cases double over the last week, with hotspots situated across the country.

Where are the cases?

According to the interactive map created by the Sanger Institute, which shows data until 8th May, the new variant is present in the following areas in England:

• Bolton
• Manchester
• Leeds
• Bradford
• Erewash
• Sheffield
• Birmingham
• Kirklees
• Leicester

Matt Hancock has confirmed that 5 or more cases of the Indian variant have been identified in at least 86 local authorities in England.

Will the Indian variant alter the roadmap?

Although the Prime Minister has hinted that the recent rise in cases could halt the final easing of restrictions planned for 21st June, he has said that the current evidence is not "conclusive" enough to alter the plan.

Boris Johnson said: “I don’t see anything conclusive at the moment to say that we need to deviate from the road map”.

However, he added that the Government was closely observing the situation, and that we would "know a lot more in a few days’ time.”

Here's how the rules changed yesterday in England:

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