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Delta variant cases rise sharply in north Facilities set up for coronavirus surge testing at Ballymartin GAC in Kilkeel, Co Down, on Monday after several suspected cases of the Delta variant were identified in the area. Picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association Claire Simpson and Press Association 10 June, 2021 01:00
A mobile Covid-19 vaccination centre outside Bolton Town Hall in Bolton, England. Picture by Peter Byrne, Press Association
THE number of suspected cases of the highly infectious Covid-19 Delta variant has risen sharply, according to reports.
A cluster of 26 Delta cases was confirmed in Kilkeel, Co Down, last week.
However, the BBC reported last night that 80 Delta cases have now been recorded across the north.
Covid-19: Number of Delta variant cases double in Northern Ireland
By Lesley Anne McKeown
image captionSurge testing had been taking place in Kilkeel in response to the discovery of a cluster Delta cases
The number of suspected cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19 in NI has doubled to about 80, BBC News NI understands.
Sources have also said it has spread to different parts of the country.
The so-called Indian variant, now named the Delta by the World Health Organisation (WHO), was first confirmed in Northern Ireland in early May.
Last Friday, 26 Delta cases were confirmed by health officials, with surge testing taking place in Kilkeel.