Cases of Indian variant of coronavirus confirmed in Watford

Peter Taylor has confirmed he is aware of cases of the new variant locally although the exact number of cases has not been publicly reported yet.

The Indian variant is believed to be responsible for a sharp rise in Covid cases in parts of England, such as Bolton, where door-to-door testing is being carried out and extra vaccination sites have been set up.

Speaking in the Commons on Monday afternoon, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said there were now 2,323 confirmed cases of the Indian variant in the UK, of which 483 were in Bolton and in Blackburn with Darwen.

The next biggest area of concern was Bedford, where testing was also now being surged, Mr Hancock said, and he added 86 local authorities across England have recorded five or more cases of the variant.

After receiving a public health briefing yesterday afternoon, the Observer was told by the town's mayor that cases of the India variant had been found in Watford.

He said: "There have been cases of the new variant locally. Case rates have increased across the town over the last week. The cases are spread across the younger age groups generally and we are seeing some community spread which is indicative of families starting to mix more."

Watford town centre

Over the last 10 days, at least 52 Covid cases (of any variant) have been found in Watford, according to figures published on the Government's Covid dashboard.

The town currently has the 12th highest Covid rate in England at 46.6 cases per 100,000 population (45 cases) in the seven days to May 13, although this is a drop from around 50.0 a few days before - and more than 20 times lower than Christmas and New Year.

Bolton's case rate currently stands at 282.0 which is equivalent to 811 cases. Bedford has the second highest rate at 123.5.

Between May 6 and 12, eight residents in Oxhey tested positive for Covid, along with seven in West Watford, and five in each of Central Watford, Holywell, and Leggatts, according to further data published on the dashboard.

Areas shaded in colour are where more than 3 Covid cases were found in the seven days to May 12. This includes West Watford, Oxhey, Leggatts, Holywell, Nascot Wood, Central Watford, North Watford, and Garston. Credit: UK Government

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Today, Hertfordshire's director of public health said the current number of cases of the Indian variant in his county were "not of cause for serious concern".

Jim McManus said: "We have been notified by Public Health England (PHE) of a small number of cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus in Hertfordshire.

"I would like to stress that we expect variant cases and are prepared for them. Since these numbers are very low, they are not an imminent or serious cause for concern and, along with PHE, we continue to contact trace these cases comprehensively, to support them to self-isolate and to monitor the data very closely, as we do with all variants across Hertfordshire.

"We have arrangements in place for managing cases and outbreaks of variants, and were prepared for this. We are ready to take the appropriate action and have plans in place if needed to protect our residents. The most important thing for people who test positive to do remains to self-isolate. This will stop the spread of any variant in its tracks."

See more: Hertfordshire public health boss confirms 'small number' of Covid cases of Indian variant in Hertfordshire

Jim McManus, Hertfordshire's director of public health

In the Commons yesterday, the Health Secretary said the majority of people admitted to hospital in Bolton, which has seen the biggest outbreak of B1.617.2 variant, had been eligible for the jab but had not taken it up.

Mr Hancock told MP's: "The majority have not been vaccinated and, of them, most of them could have been vaccinated, which is frustrating to see, but is also a message to everyone.

"It just reinforces the message that people should come forward and get vaccinated because that is the best way to protect everybody."

Matt Hancock speaking in the House of Commons on Monday. Credit: PA

His words have been echoed by Watford's mayor, who received his second Covid vaccine at Watford town hall on Saturday.

Mr Taylor said: "It is so important with the increase in cases, and the new variants, that we all stay safe despite the lifting of restrictions.

"Meeting outside continues to be the safest way along with limiting the number of people you mix with.

"If you are eligible for the vaccine, please go and get it. This really is the best way not only to protect you but also your loved ones and the wider community."

Peter Taylor at the Watford town hall vaccination centre on Saturday

Mr Taylor added: "We are now seeing in areas like Bedford how quickly case rates can change, so please also get tested regularly, stay outside as much as possible when socialising and get vaccinated when you can."

Figures from the NHS, published by the mayor on Facebook, show as of May 13, around 68 per cent of adults in Watford have had their first Covid jab.

Nearly 50,000 people in Watford have had their first dose, and of those, just under 22,000 have had two doses.

As of May 11, there were just two Covid patients at Watford General Hospital - neither of whom were on ventilation.

The last Watford resident to die within 28 days of a positive Covid test result, was on March 30. However one death was registered in Watford in the final week of April, where Covid was mentioned as cause of death on a death certificate.