Hampshire Director of Public Health: Regular testing is 'best defence' against Omicron
It comes after 3 cases of the omicron variant were found in Basingstoke.
Hampshire’s Director of Public Health says regular testing is the best way to keep on top of the new Omicron variant.
It’s after 3 cases were confirmed in Basingstoke.
"The risk of this variant is unknown – we don’t know how severe the disease it causes is, we don’t know how fast it transmits.
"We really want to understand this variant further so we can prevent the spread of this virus - the best thing we can do it to keep testing regularly."
It's unknown at this stage how effective the vaccine is against the Omicron variant, but Simon Bryant is urging people to still get the booster this winter.
He said:
"I’d really like to encourage everyone to take up the vaccine – a booster or a second dose – that does really help prevent serious illness.
"Also thinking about the measures they can take around hand hygiene, socially distancing and wearing a face covering where required."
The government are instructing anybody who has come into contact with someone infected to isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccination status or negative test results.
He added it’s likely there are unconfirmed cases of the Omicron variant throughout the UK after 3 cases were found in Basingstoke.
"We’re going to see more cases of Omicron in our area and across the country. We’re working very closely with our national colleagues to prevent the spread of the particular case we have found so we can further see the consequences of this variant on the health of our population."