DOZENS more cases of the Delta variant of coronavirus have been recorded in Brighton and Hove.

Data from Public Health England show 76 cases of the Delta variant had been confirmed in the city by June 9, up by 66 from ten cases recorded the week before.

Those identified in the latest week were among at least 3,719 cases of the VOC-21APR-02 mutation recorded across the South East – the third-worst affected region in the country.

The North West, which includes variant hotspots Bolton and Blackburn, continued to have the highest numbers identified, and 16,825 Delta variant cases have been recorded there.

Public Health England said on Friday that 42,323 cases of the Delta variant have been confirmed in the UK, up from 29,892 the previous week.

The increase in confirmed cases has been driven partly by a reduction in test turnaround times and a faster process for identifying cases of the variant, PHE said.

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

Different PHE figures show that 42 people across England had died with the Delta variant as of June 7.

Of those who died, 23 were unvaccinated, seven had received their first dose more than 21 days previously and 12 died more than two weeks after receiving their second jab.

The figures also show that two thirds of the 1,234 people who attended A and E in England between February 1 and June 7 and who were confirmed as having the Delta variant of coronavirus were unvaccinated.

Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: “With numbers of Delta variant cases on the rise across the country, vaccination is our best defence.

“If you are eligible, we urge you to come forward and be vaccinated.

“Remember that two doses provide significantly more protection than a single dose.

“However, while vaccination reduces the risk of severe disease, it does not eliminate it.

“With data showing that Delta is significantly more transmissible than Alpha, it is just as important as ever to follow public health advice, which has not changed.

“Get vaccinated, work from home where you can and remember ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’ at all times.

“These measures work, and they save lives.”