More than 40 cases of the Indian covid variants have been identified so far in the South West, according to the latest data from Public Health England.
The figures show 39 cases of VOC-21APR-02 - which was first detected in India - were detected in the region up to May 12.
While six cases of the VUI-21APR-01 variant - which was also first detected in India - have been detected in the region as well.
The data isn't broken down to local authority level but shows that, of the 39 cases of the VOC-21APR-02, 26 were people that had travelled (66.7 per cent).
The report states: "Whilst case numbers in general remain very low, the proportion of cases which are VOC21APR-02 (B.1.617.2) has increased.
"This is most pronounced in London and the North West."
Last Friday, Boris Johnson said the Indian coronavirus variant could pose a “serious disruption to our progress” coming out of lockdown as the new coronavirus cases involving the variant more than doubled in a week.
Matt Hancock updated MPs last night on the latest steps the Government is taking to halt the spread of the coronavirus variant in the UK.
He told MPs the response to the surge in cases of the Indian variant in the North West was the biggest surge of resources seen during the pandemic so far.
However, he emphasised that the people hospitalised with the India variant had not been vaccinated - but were in age groups that could have had the jab.
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Figures released yesterday (May 17) - on the day a further step towards easing the lockdown was made, with pubs and restaurants allowed to serve customers indoors - showed that the number of people testing positive for coronavirus in Bristol is the highest it’s been for a month.
The Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees also issued a warning as restrictions were eased across the country, asking for "patience and kindness".
