THE Indian "double mutation" strain is now being reported in the UK after a total of 600 people having already contracted the South African Covid-19 variant.
In the past few days, three large boroughs of London have witnessed a surge in Covid testing.
A dozen of cases of the South African variant were found in Wandsworth and Lambeth, after health officials tested around 650,000 people.
However, the strain emerging from India, known as B.1.617, is now of particular concern. A latest update from PHE has revealed that 77 cases of the double mutation variant have been found in the country.
The strain is of particular concern because it features two mutations in the spike protein combined in the same virus.
It is believed to be more infectious and possibly could dodge the vaccines. For now, it has been classified as a "variant under investigation".
Despite India reporting an alarming surge in daily infections, the country is not on the UK government's 'red list', thus making no requirement for hotel quarantine for people travelling from there.
But people travelling from India to the United Kingdom, are required to take two Covid tests and quarantine at home for 10 days.
Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, said the double mutation strain could be cause for significant concern.
"These two escape mutations working together could be a lot more problematic than the South African and Brazilian variants who have only got one escape mutation," he told The Guardian.
"It might be even less controlled by vaccine than the Brazilian and South African variants."
Asked if the Prime Minister Boris Johnson's planned trip to India would still go ahead later this month, a No 10 spokesman told it was still on,
But he said the programme "will be slightly shorter" and added: "As you would expect, safety is obviously important and is a priority for us on this trip, which is why we will make sure that all elements of the visit are Covid-secure."
