The UK has now confirmed nine cases of Omicron mutant Covid Covid, with six additional infections reported in Scotland.
This comes at a time when officials are trying to stop the spread this new variant.
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It arrived in the UK less than a week after being reported to be a concern by African countries.
Three cases of the new Omicron variant had already been identified in England – although officials fear that means hundreds could already be infected.
According to Government sources, however, there are still more than 150 infections in the UK.
According to the Scottish Government, four of the Covid-19 Omicron variants cases in Scotland were found in the Lanarkshire region. Two are located in the Greater Glasgow or Clyde areas.
Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s Health Secretary, said that it would be a worrying time in the lives of the six people who have been identified with the new variant.
“All will receive expert assistance and support. Public Health Scotland will enhance contact tracing in every case.
🔵 Read our Omicron variant live blog for the latest news & updates
It’s as follows:
- A couple fleeing an Omicron quarantine hotel in Holland are arrested after flying in from South Africa
- A minister says restrictions are unlikely to be tightened further over the next three weeks
- An expert has warned that PCR costs could spiral under the Government’s new Covid rules
- Parents fear the new mutation will cause ‘chaos’ in schools
- A rugby match at Twickenham ‘may have been a super-spreader event’
“This will allow us to determine the source of the virus as well as any other people they have been in contact with over the past weeks.
“There are still many things to know about the Omicron variation. Scientists are still working fast to answer questions about the severity of the disease, its transmissibility, and how it responds to vaccines or treatments.
“Until more is known we must be cautious and do everything we can to minimise the risk of spreading infection.”
He said: “We have already made steps and are aligning ourselves with the new border restrictions being implemented by the UK Government. This will require fully vaccinated arrivals take a PCR test within 2 days of arriving and then self-isolate until a negative results is received.
“These measures will be introduced as soon as possible and kept under constant review. However, we reserve the right to go further if necessary. We are also adopting the expanded red list of countries identified by the UK Government. This will also be kept under review.”
He stated that any close contact of suspected Omicron cases would be advised to self-isolate after a period of 10 days regardless of whether they have been vaccinated.
Ministers and scientists are hurriedly working to know just how contagious and dangerous Omicron is.
There was extensive contact tracing in Westminster last night after it became clear that the latest confirmed case had visited the UK prior to leaving.
As infections and hospitalisations continue to rise, Mr Javid has rejected calls for an additional lockdown. “nowhere near”The level of the required.
Yesterday, he spoke of people “should continue with their plans for normal as Christmas”But it was warned that it might be “irresponsible”for him to ensure that there won’t be any further restrictions in future.
Boris Johnson introduced a number of measures Saturday to slow down spread.
Brits now have to wear masks when shopping and traveling by public transport. Omicron-positive people must be isolated from the rest of the world for 10 days.
Travellers arriving in the UK from anywhere in the world must take a PCR test by the end of their second day in the country and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
A minister from another country today admitted that the UK was his. “can’t stop”Omicron’s spread.
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