New Omicron variant detected in England, UK Government says

Two people in England have been found to be infected with the new Covid variant, Omicron.

There have been no cases reported in Wales yet.

England’s Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, said the UK Health Security Agency had detected two linked cases in Chelmsford and in Nottingham, who are now self-isolating.

Both cases were identified due to overnight sequencing. Targeted testing will now be rolled out in both areas in an attempt to contain the spread.

Sajid Javid said he had been notified on Friday night that the cases had been detected. He added that the booster vaccines were “even more important” as a result of this discovery.

“We don’t know much about this new variant yet, we know it is out there, but what we do know is that the protections we do have – especially the vaccines – are hugely important,” he said.

He had earlier taken to social media to post an alert about the new virus.

“We have been made aware by UKHSA of two UK cases of the Omicron variant,” he said. “The two cases are linked and there is a connection with travel to southern Africa.

“These individuals are self-isolating with their households while further testing and contact tracing is underway.”

The Welsh Government are yet to comment on the new variant, but Vaughan Gething had said in a press conference this week that restrictions like those seen last year might be needed in a “vaccine busting variant” was encountered.

The next three-week review falls on December 10th and will take in the Christmas period and up until New Year’s eve.