A new Covid variant that is causing concern among scientists due to its large number of mutations has been detected in London.

The variant, named BA.2.86, has been detected through genetic sequencing, although only a handful of such sequences have so far been reported. The first was reported in Israel, with the variant since being detected in Denmark and the US.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed on Friday that the variant had been detected in the UK.