How long do Covid symptoms take to show?
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info  COVID-19 s Delta strain, first identified in India, has been responsible for a stark rise in positive cases around the UK. The number of infections linked to Delta has increased by 54,268 in the past week, representing a rise of 34 percent according to Public Health England (PHE). In a new analysis of variant cases, PHE said Delta now accounted for 99 percent of all cases that have been genetically sequenced. Of the 54,268 cases, 44 were linked to a new version of Delta known as Delta AY.1  There are four current variants of concern and nine variants under investigation within the UK. These variants are being closely monitored because of their potential to evade vaccines and infect more people. However, so far the vaccines are showing they offer good protection against variants, with two doses of Pfizer and AstraZeneca delivering 96 percent and 92 percent protection against hospitalisations, respectively. READ MORE: GP bashes Boris Johnson's irresponsible July 19 plans