The Isle of Wight Council says it will not comment on whether there has been a case of the Indian variant of Covid-19 on the Isle of Wight.

County Hall said there is a risk of identification, if numbers are too low.

In a statement to the County Press, an Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said: “It is not possible to comment on cases at a local authority level, as if there are any cases, the number will be low and create a risk of identification."

Only regional figures are published, it said.

Yesterday (Monday), Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons there have been 2,323 confirmed cases of the Indian variant across the UK, including five or more cases in 86 local authorities.

There are 343 local authorities in England.

Isle of Wight County Press:

In the seven days to May 12, there were 10.6 cases of Covid-19, per 100,000 people on the Isle of Wight, according to the government's interactive map.

It documents all variants, lags behind daily data, but shows the Isle of Wight's Covid-19 rate is below the national average.

Yesterday (Monday), a single new case was added to the Island's total number of Covid-19 positives.

The World Health Organisation is among those concerned that variant B.1.617, has higher rates of transmission.

In some parts of the country, it has led to surge testing.

There are also warnings that it could impact the roadmap out of lockdown.

According to the news agency PA, ministers have said its spread could lead to local lockdowns.

Meanwhile, health bosses are asking Islanders aged under 40 to await at GP's invitation before booking a Covid-19 jab, because the Pfizer vaccine is not being administered at the Island's mass vaccination centres.