THE number of confirmed cases of the so-called Indian coronavirus variant in Maldon is still believed to be in single figures.

The Covid-19 mutation which originated in India – now known as the Delta variant – is thought to be the dominant strain in the UK, with evidence suggesting it could be more dangerous than the Kent variation.

Figures published by Public Health England show between one and four cases of the Delta variant were recorded in Maldon by June 2 – though they could not give an exact figure.

That comes a week after the first case was confirmed in the district.

They are among at least 1,223 cases of the mutation in the East of England – the third-worst affected of England's nine regions.

A total of 12,431 cases of the Delta variant had been confirmed in the UK by June 2, up 79 per cent from the previous week’s total of 6,959.

Of these, 10,797 (87 per cent) were in England, 1,511 (12 per cent) in Scotland, 97 in Wales and 26 in Northern Ireland.

A PHE risk assessment found vaccines were less effective against the strain compared to the Kent mutation.

The findings also suggest people are more at risk of hospital admission if infected with the Delta variant, though PHE warned that “more data is needed to have more confidence in that finding”.

Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: “With this variant now dominant across the UK, it remains vital that we all continue to exercise as much caution as possible.

“The way to tackle variants is to tackle the transmission of Covid-19 as a whole.

"Work from home where you can, and practice ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’ at all times.

“If you are eligible and have not already done so, please come forward to be vaccinated and make sure you get your second jab. It will save lives.”

PHE figures show that more than half of people found with the Indian strain were unvaccinated.