MUTLIPLE cases of the Indian variant of Covid have been recorded in Basildon, figures reveal.

Up to six cases of the Indian variant were detected in Basildon last week, data has shown.

Public Health England has been tracking the spread of the mutation - which originated in India - by testing positive Covid cases across the country for an "S-gene".

Six positive cases of the S-gene in Basildon were identified between May 8 and May 14.

The health body had previously reported that three cases were detected in the area between May 2 and May 8, but warned that it has counted any tests conducted on May 8 twice.

Separate studies have found that both the Pfier and AstraZeneca vaccines were highly effective against the Indian strain after a second dose.

However, the same study found they were only 33 per cent effective three weeks after the first dose.

However, Dr Jenny Harries urged the public to be cautious to avoid another lockdown, warning that the new Indian variant has become the “dominant strain” in some parts of the country.

She told BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show: “It’s looking good if people are continuing to observe all of the safety signals, so we should not stop doing what we’re doing, particularly in areas where we have that variant of concern."