Public Health bosses in Nottinghamshire have urged people to remain cautious as the first cases of the Indian Covid variant were detected in the East Midlands.
Three confirmed cases of the mutated form of the virus have been discovered in Leicester, says Public Health England.
All the cases have been linked to people travelling to the city from India before the country was put on the Government’s red list on Friday, April 23.
The variant is causing catastrophic rates of infection in India.
Travellers returning from countries on the 'red list' now have to quarantine for a 10-day period in an approved hotel.
There are currently no Covid cases requiring additional action in the city or county, health directors said, but they urged anyone who develops symptoms to get tested straight away and isolate at home.
Jonathan Gribbin, director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire and David John, interim director of Public Health for Nottingham City, said in a joint statement: “We work closely with Public Health England to monitor the occurrence of variants in Nottinghamshire and Nottingham.
"Currently we have no cases requiring additional action.
"Regardless of the variant, the best way to stop the spread of coronavirus is to keep washing our hands, wear a face covering in public places, stay apart from those you don't live with, and stick to all the restrictions in place.
"With case rates now lower, it is essential that anyone who develops symptoms gets tested straight away and isolates at home until they have received the result and further advice."
The variant was identified here after a process known as sequencing was carried out on the tests taken by returning travellers who had tested positive for Covid-19, and on follow-up tests issued to their contacts, reported LeicestershireLive this morning, Wednesday, April 28.
