New Covid-19 variant found in UK as Public Health England run urgent tests
There is no evidence at this stage that it causes more severe illness
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A new Covid-19 variant has been detected in the UK, with 16 cases of the strain identified across the country.
Public Health England (PHE) is currently conducting urgent analyses on the new strain - known as B.1.621 - which has been linked to overseas travel.
There is not any evidence at the moment of community transmission of strain B.1.621 within the UK, PHE confirmed - as most of the cases are linked to travel from other countries.