Covid-19 infections halve in England but there are 'increasing concerns' about variants Boris Johnson has said there is ‘increasing concern’ in the UK about the variant first identified in India. By Press Association Thursday 13 May 2021, 7:24 AM May 13th 2021, 7:24 AM 28,036 Views 21 Comments Image: PA Images Image: PA Images COVID-19 INFECTIONS IN England have halved in recent months, according to a study, but concerns remain about the threat from new variants. Prevalence of infections dropped by 50% between March and early May, and is at its lowest since August, new data suggests. But the figures come amid a warning from Boris Johnson that new variants “pose a potentially lethal danger”.