THE Indian variant of coronavirus is “becoming the most dominant” in Hampshire with Covid cases expected to rise, it has been revealed.

Residents have been urged to get vaccinated as health bosses said the vaccine remains “the best protection we have” against the virus.

It comes as it has been confirmed that the variant first identified in India, now known as Delta, is becoming the most dominant in Hampshire.

Further confirmed cases of the Delta variant of coronavirus have been recorded in Winchester over the last week, new figures reveal.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Covid-19 mutation that originated in India now makes up 91% of new cases in the UK, with evidence suggesting it may be more dangerous than the Alpha – formerly known as the Kent – variation.

Public Health England figures show 19 cases of the Delta variant, first identified in India, had been recorded in Winchester by June 9. Between one and four cases were recorded up to June 2.

In the first seven days to Tuesday June 8 there were 24 cases in the Winchester area, up eight on the previous seven days, a rise of 50 per cent, for a rolling number per 100,000 of 19.2, far lower than at the peak but more than double the figure on June 1.

Dr Simon Bryant, the director of public health at Hampshire County Council, said not all Covid cases across the county are genome sequenced and it would not be “accurate” to give an exact figure. However, talking about the Delta variant he added: “It’s becoming the most dominant variant. The key thing is the messages are the same around how we prevent the spread of Covid. We expect to see cases rise partly because this variant spreads fast but also because we are in a different place in terms of how society is opening up.”

When asked whether that would lead to further restrictions or a lockdown he said: “We have got more people vaccinated and because of that we are in a much better position.”

He urged residents to get tested regularly, get vaccinated and follow the guidelines.

Dr Bryant added: “The vaccination programme has been very effective because we have had a very good uptake locally which has meant that whilst we are seeing a smaller rise in infections, we are not seeing the same in hospitalisations. As we open up we are likely to see more cases spreading but if that is not really impacting hospitalisation and people are not getting that sick that makes it easier for society to open up. We still need to be cautious. We are learning to live with this virus.”

The south-east is the third-worst affected region of the UK, with at least 3,719 cases of the VOC-21APR-02mutation identified across the South East. The North West – where variant hotspots Bolton and Blackburn are located – continued to have the highest numbers identified – 16,825 Delta variant cases have been recorded there.

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.