Indian coronavirus variant can spread like wildfire among unvaccinated people: says UK Health Secretary

LONDON: British Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned that the coronavirus variant first detected in India can “spread like wildfire” among those who haven’t received a vaccine against the disease.

In an interview with Sky News on Sunday, Matt Hancock said there is a “high degree of confidence” that existing vaccines work well against the new variant, but those who are eligible for vaccination have to take up that offer to protect themselves and the country. But on a more positive note, he said there is a "high degree of confidence" that the current vaccines are effective against the variant.

Hancock urged those who are eligible for vaccination but have not yet booked an appointment to come forward to get their jab.

The Health Secretary described the current situation as "a race between the vaccination program and the virus", with the new variant having "given the virus some extra legs in that race".

In London, surge testing is taking place in the boroughs of Kensington, Chelsea, Hounslow, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, and Hillingdon. The situation in London is still not as severe as it is in the northwest of England, however.

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