BREAKING: First cases of Omicron variant detected in Scotland
Six cases of the new variant have been confirmed
Last updated 29th Nov 2021
Six cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant have been identified in Scotland.
The Scottish Government says 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 working together and contact tracing is being undertaken to establish the origin of the virus and any individuals they have come into contact with.
The first two cases in the UK - in Nottingham and Essex - were announced on Saturday, while a third Omicron case was detected in the UK on Sunday in a person with travel links to southern Africa.
READ MORE: What do we know about Omicron?
Scotland's 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."
More follows.
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