A new Covid mutation has found its way to the UK with 55 cases identified in England so far.
The new strain, called Mu, was first detected in South America and has been labelled a variant of interest by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Mu, or B.1.621, was first identified in Colombia and cases have been recorded in South America and various European countries.
The WHO said the variant has mutations suggesting it could be more resistant to vaccines but that more studies would be needed to examine this further.
Meanwhile, a new study by King’s College London has found that having two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine almost halves the likelihood of long Covid.
Researchers said that being admitted to hospital with the virus was 73 per cent less likely, and the chances of severe symptoms were reduced by almost a third (31 per cent) in the fully vaccinated.
