Cabinet to hold emergency meeting to discuss rising concerns of new mutant Covid strain – reports
An emergency cabinet meeting is taking place at 1pm today to discuss the coronavirus restrictions in the wake of a mutant coronavirus strain.
In the early afternoon Michael Gove spoke with heads of the devolved nations. Following the call Arlene Foster, first minister of Northern Ireland, tweeted the new strain of coronavirus was “very concerning”.
Last night the Prime Minister discussed the possibility of tougher restrictions with fellow Ministers after assessing the virulence of the new Covid-19 mutation.
The emergency of the new mutation was revealed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock earlier this week, who said the number of those identified with the new strain was “increasing rapidly.”
The strain is largely concentrated in the South East but any spread would be exacerbated by the coming relaxation of the rules over Christmas.
Read more: Tier 3: What does it mean for you?
Much of the region was plunged into Tier 3 restrictions this week but it is believed that Government is considering whether to go further, with some reports suggesting travel curbs are being mulled.
A source told the Telegraph, who first reported the news, that “the evidence that the new strain of the virus more easily transmits from one person to another has hardened up.”
The number of people believed to be positive in the capital alone is now around 125,000, according to new data.