Boris Johnson announcement: Live updates as Prime Minister says new Covid variant 'may be' more deadly

The Prime Minister has said there is evidence the UK variant of coronavirus may be linked to more deaths.

Boris Johnson made the announcement during today's Downing Street press conference where he was joined by Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.

The press briefing comes after the data from the Official of National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the number of people testing positive for the new Covid variant has decreased.

The Prime Minister also talked about the vaccines which have already been rolled in the last week.

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The latest press conference also comes on the day it was announced the UK's R number had dropped below 1 since early December. It is now estimated to be between 0.8 and 1.

However, that is not to say we won't be seeing the easing of the third lockdown anytime soon.

You can follow live updates during the Prime Minister's press conference below: