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The most rapidly spreading new variant of coronavirus makes up the majority of new cases in the UK, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News.
The recent surge in COVID-19 cases was largely due to the variant that can be up to 70% more infectious than the original, Hancock said.
“The ‘suppressing the virus’ part has gotten a lot more difficult since the new variant actually went live in December,” he said.
The new variant spreads much faster than the original.
“Now most of the new cases in the UK are the new variant. It is much, much easier to pass from one person to another.”
The faster transmission had put extreme pressure on the NHS, Hancock added.
“It is absolutely critical that people follow the rules and do everything possible to stop the spread, particularly of the newer variant of this virus that spreads much faster.”
“So the challenge of suppressing the virus has become more difficult, but fortunately, the cavalry has come in terms of not one but two vaccines, and we have to put them in people’s arms as soon as they are produced.”
He was referring to the Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine which today became the second coronavirus jab to be approved for use in the UK.
Scientists predicted that the new variant, which has imposed stricter restrictions across the country, would quickly become dominant.
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Deputy Medical Director Dr. Jenny Harries is concerned about mutations.
Mr Hancock will announce changes to the COVID-19 rules in response to the increase in a statement to MPs later today.
Fear of the new variant, which was first found in the UK, has caused dozens of countries to restrict travel with Great Britain.
Another new variant believed to have originated in South Africa it was found shortly after the first.
It is also much more spreadable than the original and has since spread to other parts of the world, more recently. confirmed in Australia.
Since news of the new variants emerged, the proportion of people who tested positive for COVID-19 has grown rapidly.
New positive tests were achieved in the last 28 days 53,135 on Tuesday, the highest since the pandemic began. Another 414 deaths were also reported.
A reporting delay due to Christmas has likely inflated those figures, with Tuesday’s figures including positive tests confirmed before Dec. 25.
But Dr Susan Hopkins of Public Health England said they were “very much a reflection of a real increase” and were extremely concerning.
