Public health England (PHE) have said they are hunting a mystery person who entered the UK from Brazil and has the concerning Manaus variant of Covid.
The Manaus variant could spread more rapidly and may not respond to the current vaccines that are being rolled out.
The P.1 variant which was first discovered in Brazil has now hit the UK with six confirmed cases, there are three in Scotland and three in England.
South Gloucestershire confirmed to have two cases, but the third case has not been found and the person could now be anywhere in the country, as the person did not complete their test registration card with their contact details, PHE said.
Health officials are asking people to come forward who did not receive a test result who took a test between 12 or 13 February, in an attempt to track down the missing individual who has tested positive for Manaus.
On 10 February, one individual who travelled back from Brazil and arrived in London did not have to quarantine in a hotel as the policy came into force five days later.
The individual isolated at home with the rest of the family following the government’s rules which were in place at that time.
From that household there were four positive tests, of which two were the Brazilian variant, P.1.
The World Health Organization (WHO) have been informed, and the Manaus variant has been designated “of concern.”
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi was asked if it is known if the person had travelled to the UK or contracted the virus here.
Zahawi told BBC Breakfast, WWe don’t. Part of the reason why we want to locate them quickly is to understand more about them and their movements.
“They could have had a home test kit or a test kit provided to them by their local authority. But they didn’t fill in the contact details.
“We are working with the postal service to try and get other data to try and locate them, and this appeal is a belt and braces to try and make sure we locate them as quickly as possible.”
Leave a Comment