How many cases of Delta variant have been recorded in York?
FURTHER confirmed cases of the Delta coronavirus variant have been recorded in York, new figures reveal. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Covid-19 mutation that originated in India now makes up 91 per cent of new cases in the UK, with evidence suggesting it may be more dangerous than the Alpha  formerly known as the Kent  variation. Public Health England figures show 51 cases of the Delta variant had been recorded in York by June 9. Between one and four cases were recorded up to June 2. They were among at least 3,154 cases of the VOC-21APR-02 mutation identified across Yorkshire and The Humber  the fourth-worst affected of England's nine regions. City of York Council is set to hear from the Assistant Director of Public Health Fiona Phillips at a meeting tonight (Monday) for the latest update on the Covid-19 situation. Our Local Democracy Reporter Chloe Laversuch will be covering the meeting and you can follow her via @ChloeLaversuch on Twitter. The meeting is likely to hear information about all variants, case numbers, hospitalisations and vaccination levels. The North West  where variant hotspots Bolton and Blackburn are located  continued to have the highest numbers identified  16,825 Delta variant cases have been recorded there. Public Health England said on Friday (June 11) that 42,323 cases of the Delta variant have been confirmed in the UK, up from 29,892 a week ago. The increase in confirmed cases has been driven partly by a reduction in test turnaround times and a faster process for identifying cases of the variant, PHE said. Growth rates for Delta cases are high across all parts of the country, it added, with cases doubling every 4.5 days in certain areas. Deaths related to the Delta variant  Different PHE figures show that 42 people across England had died with the Delta variant as of June 7. Of them, 23 were unvaccinated, seven had received their first dose more than 21 days prior and 12 died more than two weeks after receiving their second jab. The figures also show that two thirds of the 1,234 people who attended A&E in England between February 1 and June 7 and who were confirmed as having the Delta variant of coronavirus were unvaccinated. Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: With numbers of Delta variant cases on the rise across the country, vaccination is our best defence. If you are eligible, we urge you to come forward and be vaccinated. Remember that two doses provide significantly more protection than a single dose. However, while vaccination reduces the risk of severe disease, it does not eliminate it. With data showing that Delta is significantly more transmissible than Alpha, it is just as important as ever to follow public health advice, which has not changed. Get vaccinated, work from home where you can and remember hands, face, space, fresh air at all times. These measures work, and they save lives.