BRADFORD's public health chief has confirmed a case of the Indian Covid-19 variant has been detected in the Bradford district this week.

Sarah Muckle, Bradford Council’s Director of Public Health, said the local authority has been "working closely" with Public Health England and NHS Test and Trace since an isolated case of the B.1.617 Covid-19 Variant of Concern was detected in the district.

“A very small number of local contacts have been identified and all precautions have been taken to minimise the risk of transmission," she said.

“If we are to prevent infections, particularly from the potentially more transmissible Covid-19 variants, everyone should continue to keep their travel – in the UK and abroad – to essential journeys only while national restrictions apply.

"Hands, face, space should still apply as part of our day-to-day routines.”

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) is holding a meeting today over the concerning rise in cases of the Covid-19 Indian variant.

The meeting could have huge ramifications in the UK as scientists fear the rise of the variant could delay Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown.

A member of Sage said a “delay is possible” to the UK’s plans to end lockdown when speaking to the i newspaper.

Scientists are keeping a close eye on the spread of the Indian variant across the UK, but there are currently no signs that infection is leading to rising hospital admissions, experts have said.

Professor Steven Riley, from Imperial College London, said that whether the road map for England continues on its planned trajectory was “a Government decision” but suggested the UK was currently in a good place, although variants were being watched.