Today's case total - 20 fewer than the 2,047 recorded last Saturday - come as fears continue to grow about the Indian Covid variant spreading rapidly in parts of the UK. The PM has been criticised for his response to the B.1.617.2 strain - also known as the Indian variant due to its country of origin. The area has seen a surge in cases of the Indian Covid variant, which now makes up the majority of it's new cases. The area has seen a surge in cases of the Indian Covid variant, which now makes up the majority of it's new cases. Mr Johnson has warned England will face 'hard choices' if the Indian variant turns out to be much more transmissible than others.

Source: Daily Mail May 15, 2021 15:48 UTC