Total of 9 cases of Omicron variant confirmed in Scotland

9 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus have been confirmed in Scotland, the Scottish Government says.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said there are now five cases in the Lanarkshire area and four in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, up from the six across the two areas announced on Monday.

It brings the total number of UK cases to 14.

The health secretary said the vaccination booster programme will be accelerated but that workforce issues will be the "biggest constraining factor".

Booster vaccinations are being extended to all those aged 18 and over in Scotland in line with the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommendation, with the interval after the second dose cut from six to three months.

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• omicron
• covid 19
• coronavirus
• Scotland