THE number of cases of the Indian 'Delta' variant of Covid-19 recorded in Bradford has risen by almost 1,400 per cent in just one week.

On June 9, the latest figures from Public Health England, there had been 524 cases of the Indian variant recorded in Bradford.

This was 489 more than the 35 cases seen a week earlier, a rise of 1,397 per cent.

It comes as 91 per cent of new Covid cases in the UK are now the Indian variant, according to Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Scientists have found this variant is around 60 per cent more transmissible than the Kent variant - the rapid spread of which plunged England into its third national lockdown in January - and may be more dangerous.

Public Health England said on Friday (June 11) that 42,323 cases of the Delta variant have been confirmed in the UK, up from 29,892 a week ago.

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.

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.

The figures also show that two thirds of the 1,234 people who attended A&E in England between February 1 and June 7 and who were confirmed as having the Delta variant of coronavirus were unvaccinated.

Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: “With numbers of Delta variant cases on the rise across the country, vaccination is our best defence.

“If you are eligible, we urge you to come forward and be vaccinated.

“Remember that two doses provide significantly more protection than a single dose.

“However, while vaccination reduces the risk of severe disease, it does not eliminate it.

“With data showing that Delta is significantly more transmissible than Alpha, it is just as important as ever to follow public health advice, which has not changed.

“Get vaccinated, work from home where you can and remember ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’ at all times.

“These measures work, and they save lives.”