More than a dozen cases of the Delta variant of coronavirus have been identified in Braintree, figures reveal.
Public Health England figures show 14 cases of the variant have been recorded by June 9.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Covid-19 mutation that originated in India now makes up 91 per cent of new cases in the UK, with evidence suggesting it may be more dangerous than the Alpha – formerly known as the Kent – variation.
The increase in confirmed cases has been driven partly by a reduction in test turnaround times and a faster process for identifying cases of the variant, PHE said.
Growth rates for Delta cases are high across all parts of the country, it added, with cases doubling every 4.5 days in certain areas.
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Different PHE figures show that 42 people across England had died with the Delta variant as of June 7.
Of them, 23 were unvaccinated, seven had received their first dose more than 21 days prior and 12 died more than two weeks after receiving their second jab.
Later today (June 14) Boris Johnson is set to announce the final decision on whether all covid restrictions in England will lift on June 21.
Ministers are rumoured to have considered a four-week delay to the plans.
Stage four of the roadmap will see place like nightclubs and concert venues able to operate without limits and the cap on guests at weddings will also be lifted.
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