Shropshire's public health teams monitoring Covid cases for Indian variant

New coronavirus cases involving the Indian variant have more than doubled in a week as ministers said they cannot rule out imposing local restrictions to suppress its spread.

Public Health England data showed a steep rise in cases associated with B16172, which has been designated as a “variant of concern”, from 520 last week to 1,313.

Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, Shaun Davies, said: "We recognise the significant concern and worry over the variant first identified in India. As a council we will once again be on the side of our residents.

"The good news is our coronavirus case numbers are very low at almost half the English average. We need to ensure we remain cautious even with the new relaxations on Monday.

"Getting tested twice a week, using the free testing kits available from the council, isolating if you have symptoms or a sportive test or coming for high risk area and social distancing and washing hands remains critical. As does getting the vaccine when you are called up.

"We need the Government to learn from past failings – we need them to introduce stricter border controls and introducing self isolation payments for those who simply can’t afford to self isolate.

"There are lots of unknowns which will cause concern, but we’ve got world-leading scientists who have made incredible progress these last 15 months.

"We all need to do our bit and redouble our efforts."

Acting leader of Shropshire Council, Steve Charmley, said: "We have a public health action plan ready which goes along the lines of what we have been dealing with so far during the pandemic.

"It is very much business as usual. We would urge everyone to stick to the hygiene advice and maintain social distancing.

"We are unlike many of the Midland boroughs which have more of a diverse population with more people travelling in from the Indian continent. I don't see Shropshire has being high risk at this stage.

"We will be monitoring the health of the population as a high priority."

Scientists believe B16172 may be more transmissible than the UK variant (B117) which was first detected in Kent last year and may be linked to the second wave here.

Alongside imposing local lockdowns, the Government is also considering bringing forward the date for second dose of vaccines for eligible groups to increase protection as well as vaccinating younger people in multi-generational households.

The cases are spread across the country with the majority in the north west, mainly in Bolton, Sefton in Merseyside, Blackburn in Lancashire, and in London.

Professor Robert Dingwall, of Nervtag (New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group) said: “B16172 seems to be slightly more transmissible and capable of out-competing the B117 or B1351 (South African variant) to become the dominant variant in the UK."