THE new more infectious strain of coronavirus continues to ‘spread rapidly’ in Bolton with two thirds of coronavirus cases testing positive for the new variant.
This is a huge jump from 18 per cent at the start of December — and say public health chiefs that although coronavirus rates in Bolton are starting to slow they are not decreasing in all age groups.
In the week of December 22, only 18 per cent of covid cases tested positive for the strain. This rose to 44 per cent of positive cases at the end of the month.
Figures now suggest that for the week commencing January 8 at least 65 per cent of people testing positive for the disease had contracted the mutant form of covid.
Coronavirus cases are said to remain high in the working age group.
As of Tuesday, there were 136 people with Covid-19 in Royal Bolton Hospital, of which 14 were in a critical care bed.
Bolton Council’s Director of Public Health, Dr Helen Lowey, said: “We are seeing a high prevalence of the new variant which can spread much faster, so it is more important than ever that we all follow the rules.
“That means staying at home as much as possible and reducing contact with other people. If you go out for exercise, please start from home and stay within your local area.
“Maintain two-metre distance, wear a face covering, wash your hands regularly and keep rooms well ventilated.
“These rules apply even if you have had the vaccine as it takes time for you to be fully protected and you still risk passing the virus on to others.”
Provisional research indicates people with the new variant were more likely to report having symptoms.
The variant named ‘VOC – 202012/01’, also known as variant B.1.1.7 was first identified in SE England.
The new variant transmits more easily and they are more likely to report “classic” symptoms of the virus, such as a cough and a fever.
The new variant spreading across the UK is more transmissible than previous mutations of the virus, and scientists have said there is some data to suggest it may also be more deadly. It was first detected in the south east of England in September.
