THE Delta variant of Covid accounts for just under half of the new cases on the Isle of Wight, figures reveal.

Seven further cases of the variant, first discovered in India, have been recorded on the Island, in the week leading up to June 23.

In that same period, the Island's total cases was 17, including the Delta ones.

Public Health England figures show, in total, the Island has had 24 cases of the Delta variant recorded. Last week, the figure was 17.

The Delta variant now accounts for around 95 per cent of new cases in the UK.

The UK Health Security Agency said vaccines are breaking the link between cases and hospitalisations nationally, but urged people to continue to be cautious.

In total, the Isle of Wight has recorded 6,934 Covid cases since the pandemic began in March 2020.

The Island's rolling rate is currently the fourth best in the UK.

PHE said a further variant, Lambda, is under investigation due to a rise in international cases and several notable mutations.

Six cases of the Lambda strain have been identified in the UK, all of which have been linked to overseas travel.

PHE said tests were ongoing and there is currently no evidence that this variant causes more severe disease or renders vaccines less effective.