UK boosts vaccine drive to fight B1.617.2 variants

London, May 21: The UK government says it has bolstered its Covid-19 vaccine drive as part of a series of enhanced measures to tackle “clusters” of the B1.617.2 variant of concern (VOC) first identified in India, as the latest data confirmed its numbers rose by 2,111 over the past week to hit 3,424 cases across the country.

Public Health England (PHE) said in its latest weekly variant cases data released on Thursday that cases of the variant categorised as VOC-21APR-02 are still predominantly affecting the north-west of England — particularly Bolton — and London, but “we are seeing clusters of cases across the country”.

“There is evidence that

VOC-21APR-02 is growing rapidly and may be more transmissible than VOC20DEC-01, the ‘Kent variant’ that is currently dominant in the UK. Experts at PHE are monitoring the situation closely,” PHE said. Health officials said that a targeted approach is being used throughout London to focus on the city’s many “small dispersed clusters”.

This includes whole genome sequencing, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, settingsbased testing, enhanced contact tracing, self-isolation support, and enhanced vaccine deployment to ensure that second doses for priority groups are brought forward and that maximum uptake is achieved for first doses.

In Bolton, more than 33,000 test kits have been given out as part of the surge testing programme, not including tests taken by residents visiting Mobile Testing Units (MTU). Health officials said they visited more than 9,000 properties during door-to-door visits, giving out over 3,400 test kits.

“We are determined to do all we can to ensure this new variant doesn’t put our recovery at risk,” said UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock. —