For all the latest news from in and around Bolton, sign up for the free MyBolton newsletter A type of the Indian variant of Covid-19 found in England is likely to be elevated to a “variant of concern”, according to reports.
The Guardian and Channel 4 are tonight both reporting that a subtype of the B1617 variant could be upgraded to a variant of concern as soon as Friday.
Leaked emails seen by the Guardian suggest Public Health England (PHE) officials are likely to escalate one of the variants to one “of concern”.
Three closely related variants - B16171, B16172 and B16173 - first detected in India and since found in the UK - are being monitored.