Omicron Scotland RECAP: Nicola Sturgeon covid 19 update | 6 cases of Omicron variant in Scotland
This is how the announcement of the ‘most challenging’ covid development in months unfolded.
Covid in Scotland LIVE BLOG: Nicola Sturgeon gives covid update | 6 cases of Omicron variant identified in Scotland
Key Events
- Six cases of Omicron variant identified in Scotland.
- Sturgeon pushes UK government to increase travel restrictions
- PM rejects Sturgeon’s call for tougher four nations’ travel restrictions
- First Minister gives covid update on Monday morning.
Enhanced contact tracing introduced following Omicron identification in Scotland
Humza Yousaf, the Scottish Government health secretary, has said that enhanced contact tracing is being introduced to redouble efforts in tackling the virus.
The health secretary said:“This will be a worrying time for the six people now identified as having the new variant.
“All will receive expert help and support and Public Health Scotland will undertake enhanced contact tracing in all cases. This will help establish the origin of the virus and any further individuals they have come into contact with in recent weeks.
“There is still much to learn about the Omicron variant.
“Questions remain about its severity, transmissibility and response to treatments or vaccines and scientists are working at pace to provide additional information. Until more is known we must be cautious and do everything we can to minimise the risk of spreading infection.”
Mr Yousaf went on to say that the Scottish Government is aligning with the new border restrictions being introduced by the UK Government which will require fully vaccinated arrivals to take a PCR test within two days of arrival and to self-isolate until a negative result is received.
He added: “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.”
‘Some degree of community transmission’ took place with Scottish cases of Omicron
It understood that ‘some degree of community transmission’ took place with the new Omicron cases in Scotoland as some patients with the virus strain in Scotland do not have any travel history.
Speaking on BBC’s Good Morning Scotland on Monday, John Swinney, deputy first minister, said: “What that tells us is there must be a degree of community transmission of this particular strain of the virus in the absence of direct travel connection for some of the cases in the Southern African area so that obviously opens up further challenges for us in terms of interrupting the spread of this particular strain of the virus.
“It is as yet unclear whether the Omicron strain gives rise to serious illness but it certainly does look that it is more transmissible than the Delta variant.”
First Minister is to urge Scots to ‘redouble efforts’ in fight against covid
With cases of the newly-discovered Omicron covid variant detected in Scotland, the Scottish First Minister will use her speech to the SNP conference on Monday to highlight the need for vigilance.
The First Minister is to urge Scots to 'redouble efforts' in fight against covid during SNP conference
In her speech to the SNP conference, the First Minister is expected to urge Scots to ‘redouble efforts’ in the fight against covid to ‘maximise’ chance of having a ‘more normal Christmas.’
Sturgeon to give update on Omicron on Monday morning
Nicola Sturgeon has said she will give an update on the current covid situation in Scotland, what we know about Omicron so far, and what we can all do to help contain the spread in a covid briefing.
The briefing will take place at 10.30 am on Monday and the First Minister will be joined by Gregor Smith, chief medical officer for Scotland.
Covid Scotland: Six cases of Omicron variant identified in Scotland
The Scottish Government has confirmed that a total of six cases of the Omicron variant have now been identified in the west of Scotland.
A total of six cases of the new Omicron covid variant has been identified in Scotland
A total of six cases of the Omicron variant have now been identified in the west of Scotland, the Scottish Government has announced.
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