The new variant of Covid is a fear of becoming more contagious and difficult – BBC News

Hospitals in the south-east of England have begun to cancel non-urgent operations with some struggling to double the number of patients they had in the spring. UK government sources have warned that the new variant of Covid-19 could be more contagious and more difficult to contain. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he hopes to avoid a third national blockade in England, but has acknowledged that infection rates have risen sharply in recent weeks. New data has restored the UK’s R number – or coronavirus proliferation rate – once again. It is now estimated to be between 1.1 and 1.2. Anything above 1 means that the number of cases is increasing. Sophie Raworth presents BBC News at Ten by health editor Hugh Pym. Please subscribe HERE .

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