A "new variant" of coronavirus has been identified in the UK, the health secretary has confirmed.
Matt Hancock said the variant is growing faster the previous variant, with over a thousand cases.
He said: We have identified a new variant of coronavirus which may be associated with the faster spread in the south east of England.
"Initial analysis suggests that this variant is growing faster than the existing variants.
"We have currently identified over 1,000 cases with this variant, predominantly in the south of England, although cases have been identified in nearly 60 different local authority areas and numbers are increasing rapidly."
However, cautioning MPs in the Commons, he insisted that there's "nothing to suggest" this variant will cause serious disease and added that it is highly unlikely it won't respond to the existing vaccine.
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He also said that the World Health Organisation has been notified.
