New variant of Covid-19 has already spread around the UK – scientist

Genomic researchers have found the new variant of Covid-19 has spread outside of Tier 4 areas (Ben Birchall/PA)

Genomic researchers have found the new and more infectious variant of Covid-19 has already spread around the UK, with cases identified in Wales and Scotland.

The Covid-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) consortium sampled cases around the UK and found the variant is also in the South West, Midlands and North of England, areas that are under Tier 2 and 3 restrictions.