Delta Plus variant: More than one in six new Covid cases in Bristol belong to new strain

A mutated form of coronavirus known as ‘Delta Plus’ may account for more than one in six new Covid cases in Bristol, research shows.

Officials designated the strain AY.4.2, nicknamed Delta Plus, a ‘variant under investigation’ a month ago.

Scientists are still working out whether it is more transmissible or whether there are other factors helping it to spread.

Preliminary findings from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, one of the research bodies that works with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), show potential hotspots for the variant.

It analysed more than 36,000 positive Covid-19 tests from the week to November 13.

In Bristol, 18 per cent of Covid cases were estimated to belong to the new strain - 47 out of 267 sample cases.

Bath and North East Somerset also saw 18 per cent of cases belonging to the new variant - 32 out of 177 sample cases.

Elsewhere, South Gloucestershire had a 13 per cent proportion - 40 out of 303 sample cases - and North Somerset had a 10 per cent proportion - 17 out of 173 sample cases.

Researchers have so far found vaccines are proving as effective against Delta Plus as they are against other Delta variants.

And there is “no evidence of increased severity based on risk of hospitalisation or death”, the UKHSA has said.

The number of coronavirus cases in Bristol increased by 305 from Monday to Tuesday, meaning a total 74,960 people have been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 in the city.

On Monday, the city council reported that the weekly rate of infection in Bristol was 421 new cases per 100,000 - above the England rate which is 410.

Speaking at a media briefing today (November 24), Mayor Marvin Rees said there was a ‘high prevalence’ of Covid cases.

And with 73 per cent of people aged over 16 vaccinated with two doses, Mr Rees said the council would continue to drive its message to residents on the importance of getting vaccinated.

He added: “We are in that transition phrase now where it is ‘how do we live in with Covid’ and these are the challenges we now take on as a city and as a country.”