NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

In a follow-up on the Omicron variant situation in England and Scotland, The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has identified 75 additional cases of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in England, in addition to the previous 29 confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529.

Image/dinky123uk

The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 104.

Cases have been identified in the East Midlands, East of England, London, North East, North West, South East, South West and West Midlands.

In Scotland, an additional 16 cases have been identified in Scotland, bringing the total in Scotland to 29.

Additionally in the United Kingdom, one case has been identified in Wales and no cases have been reported in Northern Ireland.

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Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said:

Increased case detection through focused contact tracing has led to more cases of the Omicron variant being identified and confirmed, as we have seen in other countries globally.

We are continuing to monitor the data closely. Teams nationally and locally are working at pace to identify and trace all close contacts of every Omicron case. It is critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately.

We have started to see cases where there are no links to travel, suggesting that we have a small amount of community transmission. That’s why it’s so important that everybody, everywhere, takes simple steps to protect themselves from infection.  Please wear face coverings in line with government guidance, let in fresh air when mixing indoors and wash your hands regularly.

Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant so please get your first, second, third or booster jab as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities.