THE council has confirmed that there has been one case of the 'Indian variant' of COVID-19 in the borough.

Wigan Council confirmed to the Journal there has been one recorded case of the B.1.617.2 variant and that it is under investigation.

According to official data, in the two weeks to May 8, cases of the B.1.617.2 Covid variant were found in the borough.

The Wellcome Sanger Institute has been tracking the variant's spread in England with help from Public Health England.

Analysis of the data by Sky News suggests the variant was detected in 127 local authorities in the week ending May 8 – compared with 71 the week before.

However, 40 of the 127 areas only identified one case.

There are also cases in neighbouring St Helens, although the most significant spread of the variant in the North West, as widely reported, has been in Bolton, Blackburn and Sefton.

A spokesman said: "The council’s key messages are that residents must keep up handwashing, wearing a face mask and social distancing.

"They should also get the vaccine when it is offered to them."

The BBC reported Health Secretary Matt Hancock as stressing: "This isn't just about Bolton and Blackburn."

The rise comes comes as millions of people begin enjoying new freedoms as lockdown is eased.

However, the Government has warned its next review of social distancing rules may be delayed.

Mr Hancock told the House of Commons there were now 2,323 confirmed cases of the Indian variant in the UK.

"There are now 86 local authorities (out of 343) where there are five or more confirmed cases," he said.

Mr Hancock said the Indian variant was now the dominant strain of the virus in Bolton as well as Blackburn and Darwen and was rising in all age groups.

He said most people in hospital in those areas had been eligible for a vaccine but had chosen not to have it – and urged anyone not sure whether to get jabbed to "look at what's happening in Bolton".