Seven cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus have been found in the UK’s Bedfordshire county, hours after health officials here elevated the subtype from under investigation to a Variant of Concern (VOC) amidst a rise in the number of cases in the country and evidence of community transmission. The variant, known as VOC-21APR-02, was identified after genetic sequencing was carried out on positive COVID-19 tests, Bedford Borough Council said late on Friday.
The Council said it was working with Public Health England (PHE) to investigate the cases. Vicky Head, the Council’s director of public health, said there was “insufficient evidence” about whether the variant caused more severe illness.
“PHE has already been in touch with the people concerned to ensure they are self-isolating and to complete contact tracing. “Since then we have been working closely with the education settings and PHE to ensure that all close contacts of those affected are identified and advised to…