Health officials say there is no sign of India Covid-19 variant in Lincolnshire

There is no sign so far of the India Covid-19 mutation in Lincolnshire, health bosses say.

First detected in October, the India coronavirus variant is under investigation to decide whether it is of concern, or more dangerous than other strains in the UK – the Kent, Brazil and South Africa variants.

Overall the infection rates in Lincolnshire are falling (down to 32.8), but are above the England average of 24.8 infections per 100,000 people.

Infection rates in South Kesteven have fallen steadily this week to 35.1 infections per 100,000 people.

Professor Derek Ward, Lincolnshire County Council’s director of public health, said: “We’re not yet sure whether [the India variant is] one to worry overly about. The Kent variant is still the dominant strain in the UK and there’s no indication that’s changing.

“I’ve not been notified that we’ve had any of that particular variant in Lincolnshire. We have had a few isolated other variants of concern or interest in Lincolnshire, but they’re all associated with travel, so people coming back from other countries and bringing it with them.”

This has been picked up through testing and has been actively managed by Public Health England.