A major outbreak of a new Covid outbreak has been detected in Norfolk - equating to 82pc of all confirmed cases nationwide.
The outbreak has been detected in a single care home in the county and is accountable for more than four times as many confirmed cases than the rest of the country combined.
Here's what we know so far:
What is the new variant?
The latest variant, labeled BA.2.86 or Pirola, is most closely related to the Omicron variant.
How many cases have been confirmed?
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has so far confirmed 34 cases nationwide - 28 of which were detected in a single Norfolk care home.
This means that thus far, 82pc of all cases nationwide were found in the region.
What do we know about the Norfolk outbreak?
The outbreak was first suspected on August 21, when an "unusual number" of residents fell unwell.
The matter was reported to UKHSA which ordered all residents and staff members to undergo PCR tests. All positive tests were then sequenced.
This process revealed that 33 out of 38 residents tested positive, along with 12 members of staff.
Among these cases, 28 were confirmed as being the new variant - although some samples were not suitable for sequencing.
Of all the cases, just one resident required hospital admission.
Authorities have not revealed which care home the outbreak took place at.
How have health bosses responded?
Heightened concerns about new variants have seen health bosses in Norfolk bring forward the latest vaccine programme.
It had been scheduled to begin in October, however, it will now commence on Monday, September 11.
Initially, carers, pregnant women, health and social care staff and adults over 65 will be targeted, with the aim of having as many of these people jabbed by the end of October.
Stuart Lines, Norfolk's director of public health, said: "The care home acted proactively and responsibly in prioritising the health and wellbeing of their residents and have been liaising regularly with UKSA and promptly acting on their advice.
"As with any outbreak in a care home or similar residential setting, Norfolk County Council continues to work proactively with UKSA to provide ongoing advice and support.
"The best protection against any variant remains vaccination and we would strongly urge those eligible for autumn vaccines to take these up as soon as they are invited."
What do experts say about the variant?
While the new variant is in its infancy, experts do not expect it to be a great concern.
Paul Hunter, a professor of virology at the University of East Anglia, said: "At the moment there is no evidence that this variant is going to be more severe.
"What we have seen with previous variants is that they grow for a while and then fizzle out and disappear.
"I don't think there is particular grounds for alarm, although it is something we clearly need to monitor."
He added that Covid had reached a point where most people's immunity would have come from prior infection.
He said: "If this was something we were finding about two years ago it would have been quite scary."
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