Sajid Javid confirmed today that there have been two Omicron Covid cases in Britain.
As fears grow about a second Christmas lockdown, the Health Secretary stated that super-strains have been reported in Chelmsford as well as Nottingham.
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Javid claimed that two individuals tested positive, and all of their families, are now self isolating.
They are being retested, and they have been instructed to self-isolate during further testing and contact tracing.
The Health Secretary stated that the cases were being handled by her department. “linked”You can travel to South Africa from where there has been an explosion in cases of the mutant strain.
He said that targeted testing is being done in Britain now, and that travel restrictions would be implemented for Malawi, Mozambique Zambia, Angola, and Zambia.
Sky News’ Mr Javid announced the news today. He said: “Last night, I was contacted in the UK by the UK Health Security Agency.
“I was told that Omicron has been detected in two cases in the United Kingdom.
“One in Chelmsford, the other in Nottingham.”
He said that Malawi, Mozambique Zambia, Angola and Zambia would be added to Britain’s red list starting Sunday at 4am in an desperate attempt to stop any more cases entering the country.
Travellers who have been to these four countries in 10 days or less must get a DNA test.
After senior scientists from the Government warned that the Omicron mutant variant was the culprit, the government finally allowed it to be used. “worst variant they have seen so far” – with vaccines expected to be at least a third less effective against it.
Dr Tom Peacock is a virologist at Imperial College London. He suggested that the variant could be. “of real concern” as 32 mutations in its spike protein could enable it to more easily evade a person’s immune system and spread to more people.
He wrote the variant on Twitter “very, very much should be monitored due to that horrific spike profile”This could make it more infectious than any other variant.
Meanwhile, the Omicron’s spread has sparked fears a second Christmas lockdown could be on the cards with Prof Adam Finn, from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, warning Brits to be “ready for the possibility of a change in the restrictions”.
Boris Johnson will also be holding a press conference regarding the matter at 5.30pm this afternoon.
Sajid Javid announced this week that South Africa has identified a new variant. “may be more transmissible”The Delta strain, and additional “the vaccines that we currently have may be less effective”.
Today Professor Chris Whitty urged people to “take sensible precautions”As scientists attempt to analyse any material, “possible increase in transmissibility or resistance to vaccines”In light of Omicron.
The Chief Medical Officer said: “We will continue to work closely with the international community to quickly gather and analyse information on this variant to understand any possible increase in transmissibility or resistance to vaccines.
“It is important that everyone takes sensible precautions – get a PCR test if you have symptoms, isolate when asked, wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, ventilate rooms, get your vaccine and boosters as soon as you can.”
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