Don't miss a thing by getting the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox Four people have now died having contracted the Indian variant of concern as of May 12, according to data published by Public Health England (PHE).
It comes as new coronavirus cases involving the variant - strain B16172 - have more than doubled in a week, going from 520 last week to 1,313.
The cases are spread across the country, with the majority in the north west - mainly in Bolton, Sefton in Merseyside, Blackburn in Lancashire and London.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the situation was being monitored carefully and the government 'will not hesitate to take further action if necessary'.