The Deputy Medical Officer of Health says there is no immediate evidence that the new Covid variant found in Brittany will stall Jersey’s roadmap to recovery.

French authorities are investigating after a cluster of cases was identified in a hospital, with several of them not picked up by PCR tests.

Dr. Ivan Muscat says it’s not proven to be more transmissible or cause more severe disease – but they’ll keep a close eye on all new information presented.

"Viral mutations happen all the time and for COVID-19, this is no different. 

"Variants of concern are singled out when their properties are considered to cause greater risk to public health for example, the Kent, South African and Brazilian variants.

"It is anticipated that Brittany will be looking at the current systems to ensure that this new variant is identified. 

"Similar consideration will be given to the newly described Finnish variant. We are of course also looking at our systems to ensure that we pick up any variants should they enter Jersey.

"The presence of variants are acknowledged throughout the stages of planning, recommending and agreeing public health mitigations and measures.

"Vaccination remains the best way of managing COVID-19 and reducing the emergence of variants. I would strongly encourage people attend for vaccination when invited to do so."

This new variant has been reported to the World Health Organisation.