Doctors have warned that experts are "keeping a close eye" on the new Covid variant NB.1.8.1 that has hit the UK.

The Nimbus variant , also known as Covid NB.1.8.1, has so far only been detected in small numbers within the UK, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced on Thursday (June 5).

Cases of the NB.1.8.1 variant had previously been confirmed in Northern Ireland and Wales. At least 13 cases of the new variant NB.1.8.1 have been detected from positive Covid tests in England, the UKHSA confirmed.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA Deputy Director, said: "It is normal for viruses to mutate and change over time. UKHSA is monitoring all available data relating to SARS-CoV-2 variants in the UK and abroad, and we continue to publish our findings in our regular Flu and COVID-19

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