#16,358
Although its discovery in South Africa was only announced 4 short days ago, news of new Omicron variant detections continue to roll in from around the world, suggesting this strain is either spreading quickly, or has been circulating for some time.
The UK reported 2 cases over the weekend (and a 3rd overnight), but this morning the bigger story comes from the Scottish Government, which reports 6 cases, with a twist.
Unlike previous cases reported outside of Southern Africa which have been travel-related, this report suggest that some (perhaps all) of these cases do not have recent travel history outside of the UK, which raises concerns over local transmission.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is giving a press conference (LINK) as I write this update, and she confirms `at least some' of these cases have no travel history outside of Scotland, and their infections are likely locally acquired.
Published: 29 Nov 2021 07:52
Part of: Health and social care, Public safety and emergencies, Coronavirus in Scotland
First cases identified in Scotland.
Six cases of the COVID-19 omicron variant have been identified in Scotland.
Four cases are in the Lanarkshire area and two have been identified in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
Public Health Scotland and local health protection teams are supporting and contact tracing is being undertaken to establish the origin of the virus and any individuals they have come into contact with in recent weeks.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf 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.
“We have already taken steps and are 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. 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.
“We must now redouble our efforts to follow the basic rules that have served us well throughout the pandemic – wear a face covering on public transport and in all indoor settings for food and retail; open windows especially if you have people visiting at home; keep washing your hands regularly and thoroughly. Work from home where possible, take regular lateral flow tests – especially before mixing with others outside your household.
"If you have symptoms, self-isolate and take a test and if contacted by Test and Protect or public health teams please co-operate and follow their advice. All close contacts of suspected Omicron cases will be advised to self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of their vaccination status.
“And of course, if you are eligible for your booster, or are still to have any dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, please get vaccinated now.”
Meanwhile, the UKHSA has published the following update on a 3rd case reported in the UK over the weekend. This case is travel related (South Africa), and the individual has already left the UK, but the UKHSA is doing targeted testing in places where the case was likely to visit.
A further case of Omicron variant confirmed
Following the first 2 confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529 on 27 November, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has identified one further case of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in the UK.
The individual tested positive after travel to the UK and is linked to travel to Southern Africa. The individual is no longer in the UK, but UKHSA is carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive case visited when they were likely to have been infectious. While in the UK, the individual was in Westminster, London.
Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said:
- Our advanced sequencing capabilities enable us to find variants and take rapid action to limit onward spread. It is very likely that we will find more cases over the coming days as we are seeing in other countries globally and as we increase case detection through focussed contact tracing.
- We are continuing our efforts to understand the effect of this variant on transmissibility, severe disease, mortality, antibody response and vaccine efficacy.
- It’s critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately.
- Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant – please get your first, second or booster jab without delay. Wear a mask in crowded places, including public transport and shops, to ensure we all help break the chains of transmission and slow the spread of this new variant.
UKHSA designated variant B.1.1.529 as a variant under investigation (VUI) on Thursday 25 November. It was designated a variant of concern (VOC) on Saturday 27 November.
The B.1.1.529 variant includes a large number of spike protein mutations as well as mutations in other parts of the viral genome. These are potentially biologically significant mutations which may change the behaviour of the virus with regards to vaccines, treatments and transmissibility.
UKHSA, in partnership with scientific bodies across the globe, is constantly monitoring the status of SARS-CoV-2 variants as they emerge and develop worldwide. We are particularly grateful to health protection specialists and the government of South Africa for early sharing of local information on the omicron variant in an exemplary way to support global health security.
UKHSA is acting to get scientific information available as quickly as possible in order to inform the right balance of interventions to prevent transmission and protect lives. This will include analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties such as response to current vaccines.
As viruses mutate often and at random, it is not unusual for small numbers of cases to arise featuring new sets of mutations. Any variants showing evidence of spread are rapidly assessed.
