REVEALED: The Newcastle areas WORST hit by Delta Plus Covid variant

The Government is once again renewing calls for the UK to get vaccinated as they now monitor a new Dela variant.

The variant is known as AY.4.2, or Delta Plus, and has been slowly increasing in case numbers in the UK.

However, currently, there is no evidence that it spreads more easily than the common Covid variant.

Scientists have found that the Delta Plus variant carried two characteristic mutations in the spike, Y145H and A222V, both of which have appeared in other strains throughout the pandemic.

Their frequency had remained low until recently.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has now reminded the public of the importance of getting vaccinated and taking booster doses when available.

He said: “While there’s no reason to believe at this point that AY.4.2 poses a greater threat, the next variant, or the one after that, might do.

“So we need to be ready for what lies around the corner. This means our ongoing programme of booster jabs is so important, and this winter we’re prioritising those most in need.”

Analysis of Covid-19 samples in England has revealed the areas where the highest number of AY.4.2 variant has been identified.

The data is based on the number of confirmed Delta Plus cases that were genomically sequenced in the week to October 9.

These figures don't show the overall number of Delta Plus cases, as not all tests are genomically sequenced, but it does provide an idea of the variant's presence.

With 43.8% of tests showing the variant, East Lindsey in Lincolnshire is currently the worst affected.

At just 1.1%, Halton in Chester is the least affected by the variant.

Here's how the areas of Newcastle rank.

North Tyneside

Of 136 sequenced tests, 19 were found to be the Delta Plus variant.

That equates to 14%.

Gateshead

Of 103 sequenced tests, seven were found to be the Delta Plus variant.

That equates to 6.8%.

Of 73 sequenced tests, two were found to be the Delta Plus variant.

That equates to 2.7%.

Of 87 sequenced tests, three were found to be the Delta Plus variant.

That equates to 3.4%.