Covid: The number of Delta Plus cases in Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell

A mutated form of Covid-19 may now account for up to two in five cases in parts of England, research shows.

The strain, called delta plus is spreading across the country.

Preliminary findings from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, one of the research bodies that works with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), shows potential hotspots across the country.

The research body analysed more than 26,000 positive Covid-19 tests from the week to 30 October.

Overall, there were 558 Covid-19 samples analysed for Delta Plus in Birmingham. 186 were analysed in Solihull and 187 were analysed in Sandwell.

The research is provisional, but gives more detail than the official figures published by the UK Health Security Agency.

How many Delta Plus cases are there in Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell?

Birmingham

The research shows that Birmingham has 107 delta plus cases. This is the highest amount of identified delta plus cases in England, according to the latest provisional data.

However this works out at 19.18% of cases, so Birmingham ranks at 55 out of 316 for the percentage of Delta Plus cases across England.

Solihull

Solihull has 47 delta plus cases identified, the seventh highest amount in the country.

This works out at 25.27% of cases, so Solihull ranks 23 out of 316, for the percentage of Delta Plus cases across England.

Sandwell

Sandwell has 25 delta plus cases identified, the 34th highest amount in the country.

This works out at 13.37% of cases, so the borough ranks 126 out of 316, for the percentage of Delta Plus cases across England.

How does Birmingham and the West Midlands compare with the rest of the country?

As you can see from the infographic above, Mid-Devon was found to have the highest proportion of Delta Plus cases, at 42%, followed by Torridge in North Devon at 41% and Milton Keynes at 37%.

The South East has England’s highest rates of Delta Plus, accounting for 19.5% of cases on October 25, according to the UKHSA.

What exactly is Delta Plus?

Officials designated the strain AY.4.2, nicknamed Delta Plus, a ‘variant under investigation’ on October 20.

Scientists have said it may spread more easily than the standard Delta strain, but there is no evidence that it cause more serious illness.

There is also no evidence that the three Covid vaccines used in the UK are any less effective against the new strain.

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