Health Secretary Matt Hancock to lead Covid press conference this afternoon after new variant found

The Health Secretary is expected to address concerns about Coronavirus after a new Brazilian variant of the virus was found in the UK.

The individual found to have a positive case of the P1 variant of the virus is thought to have used a home testing kit without a registration form.

They have now been asked to come forward, and it is expected that the Health Secretary will address this during his press conference this afternoon, March 1.

The variant is thought to be more contagious, and may be more resistant to current vaccines.

When will Matt Hancock give the press conference?

The Health Secretary will address the nation from Downing Street at 5pm.

The UK reached the milestone of 20 million first doses of the vaccine this weekend, and as well as congratulating the public and NHS, the Health Secretary is expected to urge people to remain vigilant.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted that over 20 million people have now been vaccinated across the UK – it’s absolutely fantastic.

“I want to thank every single person who’s come forward to get the jab because we know with increasing confidence that the jab protects you, it protects your community and it also is the route out of this for all of us.”

Currently, 20,089,551 have had the first dose of a vaccine, with 796,132 people across the UK being administered their second.