A NEW 'Yorkshire variant' of Covid-19 has been detected in the UK, with 49 cases identified so far. 

Public Health England (PHE) has identified the strain - VUI-21MAY-01 - as a Variant Under Investigation.

PHE said the variant has been monitored since April and is from a "lineage which was designated a signal in monitoring on 6 May 2021 based on an unusual mutation profile".

There have been 49 cases of VUI-21MAY-01 across the country to date, mainly concentrated in Yorkshire and the Humber.

PHE said: "There is currently no evidence that this variant causes more severe disease or renders the vaccines currently deployed any less effective. PHE is carrying out increased laboratory testing to better understand the impact of the mutations on the behaviour of the virus.

"All appropriate public health interventions are being undertaken, including additional contact tracing and targeted testing. Where cases have been identified, additional follow-up of cases, testing of contacts and targeted case finding will limit the spread of variants."

More information is expected to be released today.