A new variant of coronavirus has been found in the UK, according to the government.

The strain was identified due to Public Health England’s proactive and enhanced monitoring following an increase in cases in Kent and London.

The new strain has been dubbed VUI – 2020/21 (Variant Under Investigation).

As of Sunday, December 13, 1,108 cases of the variant have been recorded, mostly in the south and east of England.

The new strain is being investigated by PHE which plans to share its findings in the next two weeks.

A government spokesman said: “It is not yet known whether the variant is responsible for these increased numbers of cases.

“PHE will monitor the impact of this in the coming days and weeks.”

It is not uncommon for viruses to undergo mutations and the seasonal flu mutates every year.

This variant includes a mutation in the spike protein. Changes in this part of the spike protein may result in the virus becoming more infectious and spreading more easily.

On Tuesday, the BBC reported that Health Secretary Matt Hancock said at least 60 different local authorities had recorded Covid infections caused by the new strain.

The World Health Organisation has been notified and scientists were doing detailed studies.

Mr Hancock said there was nothing to suggest the new variant causes worse disease or that vaccines would not work.

Addressing MPs in the House of Commons, he said: "We've currently identified over 1,000 cases with this variant predominantly in the South of England although cases have been identified in nearly 60 different local authority areas.

"We do not know the extent to which this is because of the new variant but no matter its cause we have to take swift and decisive action which unfortunately is absolutely essential to control this deadly disease while the vaccine is rolled out."

Wiltshire has not been notified that it is an authority with the new strain.

Director of public health for Wiltshire, Kate Blackburn said: “Public Health England is looking and local authorities will be notified if that’s the case.

“I think the thing to reaffirm is that this is what viruses do – viruses do change and mutate.

“This is just the first mutation in December which is being looked at and it coincided with a rise in cases in the South East.

“But we don’t know which one is cause and which one is effect.

“The cases may have been going up anyway, so you’ve seen a bigger proportion of this new strain or it might be that the new strain is driving that rise.

“The evidence with a scientific basis is not there yet, so I think in terms of Wiltshire and what we’re seeing with our cases continuing to decline, as long as people are sticking to the guidance, then that’s still the best approach.”