Lincolnshire health bosses say "we must be prepared" after discovery of new variant
Around a third of cases in the county are among school children
Health bosses in Lincolnshire are warning we all need to be prepared following the discovery of a new variant.
The Government revealed last week the Omicron variant is causing concerns after being found in South Africa.
Scientists say it mutates in ways which haven't been seen before.
However it's been stressed it's as yet uncertain as to whether it's more transmissible and also whether vaccines will be less effective against them.
We spoke to Lucy Gavens a consultant in public health at Lincolnshire County Council.
She said that measures being brought in like travel restrictions and bringing back face masks in school corridors and from tomorrow in shops and on public transport, are a precaution.
"It's to protect the good progress we've made whilst the scientific community can understand more about the mutations in the new variant."
Meanwhile it's been revealed around a third of cases in Lincolnshire are among school age children.
There are much lower rates among older people.
Lucy Gavens said "Covid rates in the county are fluctuating over time".
"In the past week there's been over 3,100 new cases, 74 people have been in hospital and 12 people in the region have sadly died, so this is definitely not over yet."