COVID-19: New data reveals spread of Delta in England – with variant accounting for 90% of new cases | UK News

The Delta variant of COVID-19 is growing exponentially in England, even outside the original North West hotspots, new data has revealed.

A report from Public Health England (PHE) shows that the variant, first detected in India, now accounts for more than 90% of cases in the country, up from just over a quarter in early May.

The rapid spread of Delta could defeat the government’s plan to take the fourth stage of the roadmap on June 21. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce his decision on Monday.

In most parts of England, Delta cases double every 4.5 to 11.5 days, with the West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber seeing the fastest rates, according to PHE, while the chart in the North is is uncertain.

The variant is still the most important in parts of the north-west of England. Blackburn and Darwin recorded the highest seven-day infection rate for the week ending June 9, registering 1,082 cases per 100,000 people, followed by Bolton (797) and Rossendale (672).

Some areas bordering these hot spots are now also experiencing an exponential increase in Delta cases.

Infections have increased in 177 of 291 local authorities who have recorded five or more cases in the past week. Cheshire West and Chester, Gateshead and Leeds recorded the strongest growth.

Part of the big increase in numbers could be due to increased surge testing and sequencing in these areas, as well as the spread of the variant itself. Until now, exponential growth on this scale was not thought to be happening in so many parts of England.

The Delta variant was already believed to spread faster than its predecessor, the Alpha variant, which was first detected in Kent.

Now, an article referenced by the PHE report suggests that it is 64% more transmissible in the home, even after adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, and vaccination status.

Former government adviser Professor Neil Ferguson of Imperial College …