Hunt for mystery person infected with Brazil variant in the UK is on

The United Kingdom health secretary Matt Hancock. /Getty Images

The hunt for an unidentified person who tested positive for the Brazil variant of coronavirus has narrowed to 379 households in southeast England, the health secretary Matt Hancock has said.

He told the House of Commons on Tuesday that officials had now "identified the batch of home test kits in question".

He added: "Our search has narrowed from the whole country down to 379 households in the southeast of England and we're contacting each one.

"We're grateful that a number of potential cases have come forward following the call that we put out over the weekend."

In total, six cases of the P1 coronavirus strain first found in Brazil have been discovered in the UK.

One has still yet to be identified after the individual failed to complete their test registration card.

(With input from agencies)