THE first cases of the Indian variant of Covid-19 have been recorded in Oxfordshire.

There are two cases in South Oxfordshire and one in Vale of White Horse District Council, according to reports from the BBC.

It comes as Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed there are 2,300 Indian variant cases in 86 local authority areas where there are five or more confirmed cases of the variant.

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Mr Hancock told the House of Commons on Monday that while the B1617.2 variant seemed more transmissible, the evidence suggests that vaccines were effective against it.

He confirmed that the variant had become the dominant strain in parts of the North West of England.

The Scientific Advisory Group for emergencies (Sage) has said there is a 'realistic possibility' that the Indian variant could be as much as '50 per cent more transmissible' than the Kent strain.

But, at present, there is no evidence the B1617.2 variant is resistant to current vaccines.