SOUTHAMPTON residents have been urged to remain vigilant following a spike in Delta variant cases of coronavirus.

The Prime Minister is expected to sign off plans to delay the lifting of lockdown restrictions across Hampshire and the rest of England.

It comes amid growing concerns about a surge in cases of the “highly transmissible” Delta variant.

Boris Johnson is expected to put the brakes on lifting Covid restrictions for up to four weeks when he meets senior ministers and officials today.

It could mean that lockdown lifting – which had been slated for June 21 under the Government’s road map – will be put back to July 19.

Speaking about the move, MP for Southampton Itchen, Royston Smith said: “It is, of course, disappointing that we have to consider delaying full opening up.”

The Tory politician added: “However, each time someone is infected, the virus can mutate as we have seen with the Delta variant. Therefore, as much as we all want to fully open up and return to normal, we must remain cautious and vigilant.”

Meanwhile, Satvir Kaur, the new Labour leader in Southampton has said: “Everyone is fed up with this pandemic and restrictions, however, whatever decisions the Government make they need to be based on the best scientific evidence.”

She added: “The Prime Minister must learn lessons from the past. As we have seen, the Government’s approach has been chaotic, confused and often late. The prime example of this is when we had schools open for just one day in January before going into a lockdown.

“Whether it’s families planning holidays or knowing how many staff you need to operate, local residents and businesses need certainty and clarity so they can plan and prepare accordingly.”

In Hampshire, there have been 76 positive cases of the Delta variant identified.

Figures from Public Health England show that up to June 9, there were 34 positive cases in the Southampton area and 15 across the borough of Eastleigh.

Meanwhile, across Fareham, there were 18, and in the New Forest, nine cases.

Scientists claim that 96 per cent of all new cases are attributed to the Delta variant.

According to PHE, there have been 42,323 cases of the Delta variant confirmed in the UK, up by 29,892 from the previous week. The strain is believed to 60 per cent more transmissible than the previously dominant Alpha or Kent variants.