New Covid-19 variant 40% more transmissible than Alpha strain, confirms UK Health Secretary

The UK's Health Secretary says the link between rising coronavirus cases and hospitalisations is "severed but not broken".

Speaking on Sky News, Matt Hancock confirmed the new Covid-19 variant, known as Delta, is 40% more transmissible than the Alpha (also known as Kent) strain.

He said this makes the decision about lifting lockdown restrictions in England on the 21st June "more difficult".

Meanwhile, in Gibraltar, the number of Active cases fell slightly over the weekend to six (four resident and two visitors).