New coronavirus variant found in UK
Updates from Greater Manchester, the UK and world
Bolton continues to have the highest coronavirus infection rate in Greater Manchester
Scientists have identified 16 cases of a new coronavirus variant in the UK, Public Health England (PHE) has announced.
Cases of the variant, referred to as VUI-202102/04, were first identified on February 15 through genomic horizon scanning.
PHE said on Thursday that all individuals who tested positive and their contacts have been traced and advised to isolate.
The variant, which is understood to have originated in the UK, was designated a “variant under investigation” (VUI) on February 24.
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CLAIM “The priority order for [vaccinating] everybody has been the same no matter where you live across the UK… that’s been one of the strengths of the rollout…” – Matt Hancock, UK Health Secretary, March 4, 2021 DOORSTEP ANSWER Hancock is wrong. The “strength” of the vaccination rollout was that Scotland was able to do its own thing and opted to prioritise elderly care home residents who were the most vulnerable to the Covid-19 virus. Scotland achieved 100% cover for care home elderly ahead of England. BACKGROUND On Thursday, March 4, the Health Secretary visited the University of Glasgow Lighthouse Laboratory, which conducts Covid-19 tests. The Glasgow Lighthouse Lab is a favourite place for visiting Tory ministers to hold photo opportunities. The PM visited the Lighthouse just weeks ago as part of his “love-bombing” initiative.