Map reveals how far Delta plus variant has already spread in UK
THIS map reveals where cases of the Delta plus variant have been detected in the UK.
The majority of cases have been found in the South East of England, where 15 have been confirmed.
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Around 41 cases of the mutation, previously dubbed the "Nepal variant", are being closely monitored.
Data from Public Health England (PHE) found that up to June 14, 36 cases had been confirmed with two more being probable.
Delta Plus has been found in nine other countries - USA, India, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, Poland, Nepal, Russia and China.
PHE is not calling it "Delta Plus", and said the World Health Organisation is considering it simply part of Delta, but is monitoring the cases.
Aside from the 15 cases in the South East, 10 have been found in the West Midlands, four, plus two probable cases in London, three in the North West, two in the South West, one in the East Midlands and one in an unconfirmed region.
No cases have yet been identified in the East of England, the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber.
The majority of cases have been witnessed in adults with just a handful of cases having been detected in older age groups - where most adults will be fully vaccinated.
Eight cases were detected in the 30-39 groups, five women and three men and seven cases were detected in the 40-49 group with four women and three men having been infected.
In the 20-29 age group, six people are infected with two women and four men and in the 0-9 age group, six youngsters have been infected with four girls and two boys catching the strain.
In the 50-59 group, five people have been infected, two women and three men and in the 10-19 group four women have been infected.
Two cases were found in ages 60-69 - both cases women.
No cases were found in those ages 70-79 and 80+.
Extra measures are currently in place where cases of the Delta plus variant have been detected.
ON THE UP
The data comes after it was this afternoon revealed that cases have risen by over 16,000 in the UK today.
The total number of cases since the pandemic began now stands at 4,667,870.
Today's rise in infections is the highest number of daily cases since February 6 when 18,262 were reported.
It is also higher than yesterday's figure of 11,625 as the Delta variant continues to grip the UK.
Deaths also rose by 19 - bringing the total to 128,027 - which is lower than yesterday's 27 fatalities.
Last Tuesday, 9,055 were recorded and nine deaths.
A total of 75,188,795 vaccinations in the UK have been administered with 31,740,115 people receiving two doses.
Dr Andrew Lee, Covid Incident Director at Public Health England, said: "PHE has had additional control measures in place for weeks where cases of Delta variant with K417N (AY.1) are detected including enhanced contact tracing, rapid testing and isolation.
"41 cases in total have been identified in England. Active investigation of cases and clusters will ensure our public health response remains fast and proportionate.
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"We are continuing investigations to better understand the significance of K417N in addition to Delta.
"PHE will continue to closely monitor and assess all changes in the virus as they naturally emerge, given the overall large number of COVID cases globally.”
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The Prime Minister's official spokesman added PHE had already put extra measures in place where the variant had been detected including "enhanced contact tracing, testing, and isolation"
The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday described the new variant as "currently a variant of concern," in a statement.