Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA WireThe spread of the Indian coronavirus variant could lead to the return of local lockdowns, UK ministers have acknowledged. The rise in cases of the highly transmissible variant of concern risks the next stage of England’s road map out of lockdown, currently pencilled in for June 21, being delayed. Bedford’s director of public health said she was “really worried” about the spread of the Indian Covid-19 variant in the area. Vicky Head told BBC Breakfast on Tuesday there had been 80 confirmed cases of the variant in Bedford. Despite concerns the Indian variant is even more transmissible than the dominant Kent strain, the latest easing of lockdown restrictions went ahead as planned on Monday across most of England, Scotland and Wales.

Source: Irish Independent May 18, 2021 10:37 UTC